Rat adipocytes possess typical beta 1 adrenoceptors that can be identified by 125I-cyanopindolol binding but the receptor mediating isoprenaline adenylate cyclase activation possesses properties quite unlike beta 1 or beta 2 receptors. Separation of these sites has been attempted using the photoaffinity antagonist para-amino-benzyl-carazolol. Preincubation of rat reticulocyte and adipocyte membranes with this agent followed by washing induced a concentration-dependent loss of specific 125I-cyanopindolol sites in both tissues, though the maximal loss was apparently greater in the reticulocyte. However, the loss of sites in both tissues induced a different effect on isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase. In the reticulocyte, the loss of specific sites was accompanied by an equivalent fall in the maximal stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In the adipocyte there were no significant effects of receptor site loss on the isoprenaline dose-response curve. It is suggested that this data supports the concept that an atypical beta-adrenoceptor, with relatively low affinity for many antagonists, mediates catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase (and lipolysis) in the adipocyte.