In fish liver catecholamines bind to beta-adrenoceptors (AR) and increase g
lucose release via cAMP augmentation. alpha(1)-AR have recently been shown
to mediate IP3 and Ca2+ elevation in catfish and eel hepatocytes, although
their coupling to a physiological response has remained doubtful. We have p
erifused isolated catfish hepatocytes in Bio-Gel P4 columns with epinephrin
e in the presence of prazosin and/or propranolol, alpha- and beta-AR antago
nists, respectively. Ten nM epinephrine stimulated glucose release approxim
ately 3-fold, and this effect was completely antagonized by the simultaneou
s presence of both alpha- and beta-AR blockers. The two AR antagonists sepa
rately inhibited about one-third and two-third of the total stimulation, re
spectively. Through alpha-AR occupancy, epinephrine provoked a significant
increase of glucose release whereas no stimulation was detected in Ca2+-dep
leted hepatocytes. Glucose release was strongly elevated by both ionomycin
and dibutyryl cAMP. These results represent the first direct evidence that
alpha-AR transduction pathway is involved in epinephrine-induced glucose re
lease from fish hepatocytes.