The effects of isoproterenol and insulin on phospholipid methyltransferase (PLMT) activity were investigated in adipocytes from control and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. PLMT activity was assayed by measuring the rate of incorporation of 3H-methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H] methionine into phospholipids. Basal PLMT activity was higher in adipocytes from diabetic animals. Treatment of adipocytes with isoproterenol induced a concentration-dependent stimulation of PLMT activity. In control adipocytes, the maximal effect was obtained at 100 nM isoproterenol with 2.3 fold increase in PLMT activity and a half maximal effect at 25 nM. In adipocytes from diabetic rats, a lower dose of isoproterenol (10 nM), caused 1.2 fold increase with a half maximal effect at 4 nM. Addition of 100 nM insulin inhibited basal PLMT activity and the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol in both types of adipocytes. The β-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol inhibited the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol on PLMT activity in control and diabetic adipocytes. Intracellular concentration of cAMP was higher in diabetic adipocytes but decreased to normal values after incubation in the presence of insulin.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas