Cyclic AMP increases electrical capacitance of apical membrane of toad urinary bladder.

We have measured the effects of oxytocin and three other compounds (chlorophenyl-thio-cyclic AMP, forskolin and theophylline) that increase cytoplasmic cyclic AMP on the impedance of the toad urinary bladder. Membrane capacitance was calculated from transepithelial impedance measured by a computerized sine wave method. All four agents increased tissue capacitance. Since in these tissues this parameter is proportional to apical membrane area our results suggest that cAMP can be a second messenger involved in the action of agents that promote fusion of exocytotic vesicles with the apical membrane.