Adenylate cyclase-the more membrane associated, the less radiosensitive

A dose dependent but not parallel decreases were observed both in SH content and catalytic activity of "free" catalytic subunit after irradiation (0-3200 Gy), while SH groups of membrane-associated adenylate cyclase were insensitive (under 3200 Gy). An initial "radioactivation" of membrane-associated enzyme was found under 800 Gy, then an inhibition above 1600 Gy. The SH alkylating agent, N-ethylmaleimide resulted in a complete inactivation, both of membrane associated form of adenylate cyclase and "free" catalytic subunit with similar inactivation profiles. These data indicate that in the radiosensitivity or "radioprotection" of adenylate cyclase, its membrane association/integration might play a more important role than the SH groups themselves.