Elevated membrane cholesterol concentrations inhibit glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase

A method was devised which increases the cholesterol concentration of rat liver plasma membranes by exchange from cholesterol-rich liposomes at low temperature (4 degrees C). When the cholesterol concentration of liver plasma membranes is increased, there is an increase in lipid order as detected by a decrease in mobility of an incorporated fatty acid spin probe. This is accompanied by an inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. The various ligand-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities exhibit