Non-nucleated red blood cells from rats contain adenyl cyclase, the activity of which is predominantly localized in the reticulocytes. Basal enzyme activities in membrane preparations from reticulocyte-rich blood (pretreatment of rats with acetyl-phenylhydrazide: about 60% reticuloytes) are about 5 times higher than in preparations from reticulocyte-poor blood (untreated animals: 2-3% reticulocytes). The enzyme activities are stimulated 10-fold by sodium fluoride (10(-2)M) and 6 to 8-fold by isoprenaline (10(-4)M). Adenyl cyclase activities in membrane preparations from reticulocyte-rich and reticulocyte-poor blood can be ascribed to identical enzymes since identical apparent Km (ATP; 3 times 10(-4)M, Ka (isoprenaline; 3 times 10(-6)M) and Ki (propranolol vs. isoprenaline; 3 times 10(-7)M) values were obtained in both preparations. Besides NaF, only phenylethanolamine derivatives with beta-adrenergic receptor stimulant properties were effective as stimulators of adenyl cyclase activity. The affinities (apparent Ka values) of the investigated compounds decreased in the order isoprenaline--hexoprenaline--fenoterol--salbutamol--adrenaline--terbutalin--noradrenaline--phenylephrine. For maximal intrinsic activity, the catechol structure was essential; the relative intrinsic activities of resorcinol derivatives did not exceed 0.6. The isoprenaline-stimulated adenyl cyclase activities in erythrocyte membrane preparations were competitively inhibited by beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, the affinities (apparent Ki values) decreasing in the order prindolol--penbutolol--propranolol--practolol. The dextrorotatory enantiomers of penbutolol and propranolol were 1/100 to 1/200 as active as the resp. levorotatory enantiomers. From experiments with alpha-adrenergic agonists (e.g. phenylephrine) and antagonists (e.g. phentolamine), it is concluded that alpha-adrenergic receptors do not interfere with the beta-adrenergically-mediated cAMP formation in these particular membranes. A variety of hormones and drugs known to stimulate denyl cyclase activities in various tissues, e. g. ACTH, glucagon, STH, erythropoietin, prostaglandin E1 etc. did not affect adenyl cyclase activity in reticulocyte-rich erythrocyte membrane preparations. In contrast to adenyl cyclase activity, phosphodiesterase activities in erythrocyte membrane and cytoplasmic fractions were only twice as high in reticulocyte-rich as in reticulocyte-poor preparations. From the experiments described, it is obvious that the adenyl cyclase of the rat reticulocyte is subject to monovalent-hormonal, i.e. beta-sympathomimetic stimulation. Moreover, the premature red blood cell provides a useful model for quantitative studies of the interaction of drugs with the beta-adrenergic receptor.