Skip to main content
PMC home page
Biochemical Journal logoLink to Biochemical Journal
. 1988 Feb 1;249(3):831–838. doi: 10.1042/bj2490831

Alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue of lean (Fa/?) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. Effects of cold-acclimation, sucrose feeding and adrenalectomy.

A Raasmaja 1, D A York 1
PMCID: PMC1148782  PMID: 2895637

Abstract

1. The populations of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of genetically obese Zucker rats (fa/fa) were studied with [3H]prazosin and [3H]CGP-12177 respectively. 2. The density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in BAT was significantly lower in obese than in lean Zucker rats, both at 2-4 months of age and at 6 weeks of age. The density of beta-adrenergic receptors was identical in BAT of lean and obese 6-week-old Zucker rats. 3. Cold-acclimation increased the alpha 1-receptor density significantly in BAT of both lean and obese Zucker rats, and the number of beta-receptors was also somewhat increased. 4. Sucrose feeding did not affect the density of alpha 1-receptors in BAT of lean or obese Zucker rats, but it increased beta-receptor density. 5. Adrenalectomy restored the density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in BAT of obese Zucker rats to the value observed in lean rats. 6. It is concluded that there is a direct correlation between alpha 1-receptor density and tissue recruitment, and that alpha 1-receptor density is thus positively correlated with sympathetic activity. beta-Receptor density is apparently better correlated with feeding conditions.

Full text

PDF
831

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Affolter H., Hertel C., Jaeggi K., Portenier M., Staehelin M. (-)-S-[3H]CGP-12177 and its use to determine the rate constants of unlabeled beta-adrenergic antagonists. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Feb;82(3):925–929. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.3.925. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Agrawal D. K., Daniel E. E. Two distinct populations of [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine binding sites in the plasma membranes of rat mesenteric artery. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1985 Apr;233(1):195–203. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Ashwell M., Holt S., Jennings G., Stirling D. M., Trayhurn P., York D. A. Measurement by radioimmunoassay of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein from brown adipose tissue of obese (ob/ob) mice and Zucker (fa/fa) rats at different ages. FEBS Lett. 1985 Jan 7;179(2):233–237. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(85)80525-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Avruch J., Wallach D. F. Preparation and properties of plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum fragments from isolated rat fat cells. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1971 Apr 13;233(2):334–347. doi: 10.1016/0005-2736(71)90331-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Bray G. A., York D. A. Hypothalamic and genetic obesity in experimental animals: an autonomic and endocrine hypothesis. Physiol Rev. 1979 Jul;59(3):719–809. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1979.59.3.719. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Bruce B. K., King B. M., Phelps G. R., Veitia M. C. Effects of adrenalectomy and corticosterone administration on hypothalamic obesity in rats. Am J Physiol. 1982 Aug;243(2):E152–E157. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1982.243.2.E152. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Bukowiecki L., Follea N., Vallieres J., Leblanc J. Beta-Adrenergic receptors in brown-adipose tissue. Characterization and alterations during acclimation of rats to cold. Eur J Biochem. 1978 Dec 1;92(1):189–196. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1978.tb12737.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Himms-Hagen J. Brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in obese animals. Nutr Rev. 1983 Sep;41(9):261–267. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1983.tb07196.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Himms-Hagen J., Desautels M. A mitochondrial defect in brown adipose tissue of the obese (ob/ob) mouse: reduced binding of purine nucleotides and a failure to respond to cold by an increase in binding. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1978 Jul 28;83(2):628–634. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(78)91036-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Holt S., York D. A., Fitzsimons J. T. The effects of corticosterone, cold exposure and overfeeding with sucrose on brown adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats (fa/fa). Biochem J. 1983 Jul 15;214(1):215–223. doi: 10.1042/bj2140215. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Holt S., York D. A. The effect of adrenalectomy on GDP binding to brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria of obese rat. Biochem J. 1982 Dec 15;208(3):819–822. doi: 10.1042/bj2080819. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. LOWRY O. H., ROSEBROUGH N. J., FARR A. L., RANDALL R. J. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem. 1951 Nov;193(1):265–275. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Levin B. E., Comai K., O'Brien R. A., Sullivan A. C. Abnormal brown adipose composition and beta-adrenoceptor binding in obese Zucker rats. Am J Physiol. 1982 Sep;243(3):E217–E224. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1982.243.3.E217. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Levin B. E., Triscari J., Sullivan A. C. Studies of origins of abnormal sympathetic function in obese Zucker rats. Am J Physiol. 1983 Jul;245(1):E87–E93. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1983.245.1.E87. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Marchington D., Rothwell N. J., Stock M. J., York D. A. Energy balance, diet-induced thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue in lean and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats after adrenalectomy. J Nutr. 1983 Jul;113(7):1395–1402. doi: 10.1093/jn/113.7.1395. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Marchington D., Rothwell N. J., Stock M. J., York D. A. Thermogenesis and sympathetic activity in BAT of overfed rats after adrenalectomy. Am J Physiol. 1986 Apr;250(4 Pt 1):E362–E366. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1986.250.4.E362. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Mohell N., Nedergaard J., Cannon B. Quantitative differentiation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic respiratory responses in isolated hamster brown fat cells: evidence for the presence of an alpha 1-adrenergic component. Eur J Pharmacol. 1983 Sep 30;93(3-4):183–193. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(83)90136-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Mohell N., Svartengren J., Cannon B. Identification of [3H]prazosin binding sites in crude membranes and isolated cells of brown adipose tissue as alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Eur J Pharmacol. 1983 Aug 19;92(1-2):15–25. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(83)90103-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Nedergaard J. Catecholamine sensitivity in brown fat cells from cold-acclimated hamsters and rats. Am J Physiol. 1982 Mar;242(3):C250–C257. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.1982.242.3.C250. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Nedergaard J., Lindberg O. The brown fat cell. Int Rev Cytol. 1982;74:187–286. doi: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)61173-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Raasmaja A., Mohell N., Nedergaard J. Increased alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density in brown adipose tissue of cafeteria-fed rats. Biosci Rep. 1984 Oct;4(10):851–859. doi: 10.1007/BF01138167. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Raasmaja A., Mohell N., Nedergaard J. Increased alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density in brown adipose tissue of cold-acclimated rats and hamsters. Eur J Pharmacol. 1984 Nov 27;106(3):489–498. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(84)90052-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Rothwell N. J., Stock M. J., Sudera D. K. Thermogenic responses to adrenoceptor agonists and brown fat adrenoceptors in overfed rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 1986 Jun 24;125(3):313–323. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(86)90787-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Rothwell N. J., Stock M. J., York D. A. Effects of adrenalectomy on energy balance, diet-induced thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue in adult cafeteria-fed rats. Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1984;78(3):565–569. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(84)90597-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Svartengren J., Svoboda P., Cannon B. Desensitisation of beta-adrenergic responsiveness in vivo. Decreased coupling between receptors and adenylate cyclase in isolated brown-fat cells. Eur J Biochem. 1982 Nov 15;128(2-3):481–488. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Svartengren J., Svoboda P., Drahota Z., Cannon B. The molecular basis for adrenergic desensitization in hamster brown adipose tissue: uncoupling of adenylate cyclase activation. Comp Biochem Physiol C. 1984;78(1):159–170. doi: 10.1016/0742-8413(84)90064-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Svoboda P., Svartengren J., Snochowski M., Houstek J., Cannon B. High number of high-affinity binding sites for (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol on isolated hamster brown-fat cells. A study of the beta-adrenergic receptors. Eur J Biochem. 1979 Dec;102(1):203–210. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1979.tb06281.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Trayhurn P. The development of obesity in animals: the role of genetic susceptibility. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1984 Nov;13(3):451–474. doi: 10.1016/s0300-595x(84)80033-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Triandafillou J., Himms-Hagen J. Brown adipose tissue in genetically obese (fa/fa) rats: response to cold and diet. Am J Physiol. 1983 Feb;244(2):E145–E150. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1983.244.2.E145. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. York D. A., Marchington D., Holt S. J., Allars J. Regulation of sympathetic activity in lean and obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats. Am J Physiol. 1985 Sep;249(3 Pt 1):E299–E305. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1985.249.3.E299. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Young J. B., Saville E., Rothwell N. J., Stock M. J., Landsberg L. Effect of diet and cold exposure on norepinephrine turnover in brown adipose tissue of the rat. J Clin Invest. 1982 May;69(5):1061–1071. doi: 10.1172/JCI110541. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Biochemical Journal are provided here courtesy of The Biochemical Society

RESOURCES