A NEW ASSAY FOR MEASURING ADENYL CYCLASE ACTIVITY IN INTACT CELLS

A radiometric assay has been described for the measurement of newly synthesized cyclic AMP in isolated fat cells. With this technique, isolated fat cells or tissue slices are preincubated with adenine-8-C14 in the presence of glucose which allows the intracellular build-up of labeled ATP. Subsequent treatment with lipolytic hormones causes an increased conversion of labeled ATP to cyclic AMP, the latter being measured by scintillation counting after separation from other nucleotides. Since only newly synthesized nucleotide is measured, this method is particularly useful for determining the role of agents affecting the rate of formation and breakdwon of cyclic AMP. © 1969.