Alterations of beta-receptor-adenylyl cyclase coupling by long-term ATP depletion in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

In cultured rat heart muscle cells, reversible long-term ATP depletion induces a decrease in beta-adrenoceptor density and a fall in isoproterenol- as well as forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation. However, isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in membrane preparations is not reduced after ATP depletion. These results suggest that the decreased responsiveness to catecholamines during myocardial ischemia cannot be explained by alterations of the beta-adrenoceptor-adenylyl cyclase system alone.