BETA-ADRENERGIC STIMULATION OF AMINO-ACID-TRANSPORT IN SERTOLI CELL-ENRICHED TESTES OF RATS IS INDEPENDENT OF ITS ACTION ON PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS

Isoproterenol (Iso) and other adrenergic agonists stimulated amino aci d (a.a.) transport in Sertoli cell-enriched testes (SCE) of immature r ats. A 10(-6)M concentration of a beta(1) blocking agent inhibited the stimulatory action on the a.a. uptake, whereas higher concentrations (10(-4)M) of beta(2), alpha(1) and alpha(2) blocking agents were neede d to obtain a similar effect. Iso also stimulated protein synthesis in SCE testes and cycloheximide was inefficient in blocking the stimulat ory action of Iso on a.a. transport. It is concluded that adrenergic a gents stimulate the a.a. transport by a beta(1) related mechanism and that this stimulation is independent of the protein synthesis stimulat ory action of these agents.