Alloxan-induced diabetes reduces beta-adrenergic receptor number without affecting adenylate cyclase in rat ventricular membranes.

We have investigated alterations in beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in myocardial membranes from normal and alloxan-treated diabetic rats. Saturation curves of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding yielded a Bmax of 96.3 +/- 3.9 fmol/mg protein in normal membranes and 47.6 +/- 3.9 fmol/mg protein in diabetic membranes. Decreased receptor number in membranes from diabetic animals was not accompanied by alteration in receptor affinity for either antagonists or agonists to the beta-receptor. We were unable to detect any alteration in adenylate cyclase activity in similar ventricular membranes. Adenylate cyclase activity in the basal state or in the presence of sodium fluoride, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, or isoproterenol, with or without GTP, was not altered by the alloxan-induced diabetic state. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by forskolin, the novel diterpene activator, also was not altered by diabetes. The results suggest that while diabetes reduced beta-receptor number, this is not reflected in any other component of the adenylate cyclase complex.