[Mechanisms of heart adenylate cyclase activation by epinephrine and fluoride ions].

The effects of epinephrine and NaF on the membrane preparations of adenylate cyclase from rabbit heart were studied. After preincubation with epinephrine or NaF at 37 degrees C and subsequent washing of the membranes at 4 degrees C from the effectors, adenylate cyclase passes into the activated state and loses its sensitivity to epinephrine and NaF. The effect may be "reversed" by preincubation of the membranes at 37 degrees C. The addition of ATP to the preincubation media does not affect the regulatory and catalytic properties of the enzyme. It is assumed that adenylate cyclase regulation by hormones and fluoride ions may occur without hypothetical processes of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the enzyme. The effect of preincubation is probably due to the temperature-dependent association and dissociation of the enzyme-receptor complex in the membrane. Epinephrine and NaF partially protect the cyclase against trypsin-induced inactivation, which is indicative of structural or conformational changes of the adenylate cyclase complex during its interaction with activators.