Endocytosis of beta-adrenergic ligands by rat liver. Comparison of beta-adrenergic receptor and adenylate cyclase distribution in endosome and plasma-membrane fractions.

The internalization of beta-adrenergic receptors was investigated in rat livers perfused with an agonist ([3H]isoprenaline) or an antagonist ([125I]iodocyanopindolol). Analytical centrifugation of liver homogenates indicated that the ligands were transferred rapidly to endosomal and lysosomal positions in sucrose gradients. Endosome fractions contained beta-adrenergic binding sites, but adenylate cyclase activity was low and poorly activated by isoprenaline. The results indicate that the receptor-regulatory-protein-adenylate cyclase complex was disassembled during uptake of beta-adrenergic ligands, with the adenylate cyclase being retained at the plasma membrane.