1. We have measured specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx in intact human lymphocytes incubated for up to 7 days in media containing different concentrations of fetal calf serum and human serum.
2. Incubation for periods of up to 7 days with fetal calf serum and human serum produced increases in both specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx that were dependent on concentration and time.
3. Neither specific [3H]ouabain binding nor ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx was altered when dialysed serum was used, suggesting that both fetal calf serum and human serum contain a dialysable factor or factors which stimulate specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx in intact human lymphocytes.
4. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these changes we also measured the activity of two other enzymes of the lymphocyte plasma membrane, 5′-nucleotidase and γ-glutamyltransferase, the uptake of [3H]thymidine by the intact cells, and the effects of cycloheximide, puromycin, and anisomycin, inhibitors of protein synthesis.
5. The activity of 5′-nucleotidase was increased after incubation of the lymphocytes in fetal calf serum for 72 h, but the activity of γ-glutamyltransferase was not changed, suggesting some selectivity of the stimulatory effect.
6. Measurements of [3H]thymidine uptake by the lymphocytes showed that the major part of the observed changes in specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx was not attributable to transformation of the lymphocytes to lymphoblasts.
7. All three inhibitors of protein synthesis prevented the increase in specific [3H]ouabain binding due to fetal calf serum.
