The action of thiols on lymphocyte membranes.

Short-term incubation with cysteine in concentrations not altering cell viability increased the amount of -SH groups on the surface of rat lymphocytes. Maximal effect was achieved in 10 min using 2 mM cysteine, which concentration also induced immediate total loss of response to adrenaline, as measured by intracellular cyclic AMP level. Neither of these effects was observed after incubation of lymphocytes with glutathione or dithiothreitol.