α1‐Adrenergic activation of brown adipocytes leads to an increased formation of inositol polyphosphates

Abstract

α₁-Adrenergic activation of isolated brown adipocytes causes a rapid mobilization of intracellular Ca²⁺. The cells also respond with an increased turnover of inositol lipids. The present work demonstrates that α₁ adrenergic stimulation of brown adipocytes results in phospholipase C-mediated breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate to form inositol trisphosphate. The rate of appearance of inositol trisphosphate is sufficiently rapid for it to mediate or contribute to Ca²⁺ mobilization in these cells.