Effects of Toluene on Regulation of Adenylyl Cyclase by Stimulation of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Expressed in CHO Cells

Abstract

We determined the effects of toluene exposure on activation or inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by stimulating human β₂-adrenergic receptors (β₂-AR) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) m2 subtypes, respectively, expressed in CHO cells. The formation of cAMP via β₂-AR stimulation was slightly but not significantly facilitated in the presence of 3.7 μM toluene. On the other hand, the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by 10 μM of carbamylcholine stimulation of mAChR m2 subtypes was attenuated in the presence of toluene. These results strongly suggest that toluene affects activation of G_i rather than G_s.