Direct action of pertussis toxin in isolated hamster fat cells.

Incubation of pieces of adipose tissue in the presence of pertussis toxin (10-100 micrograms/ml) resulted in blockade in the isolated fat cells of the action of agents that inhibit adenylate cyclase through receptor-mediated GTP-dependent processes (alpha 2-adrenergic amines, prostaglandins, Ri-adenosine, nicotinic acid) and enhancement of the action of isoproterenol. There was a lag period of approximately 2 h for the action of the toxin.