Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) interacts with the same plasma membrane receptor as epidermal growth factor and is likely to play a role in proliferative and trophic processes of gastrointestinal tissues. The distribution of receptor binding sites for TGF-alpha was examined in the canine gastrointestinal tract (distal esophagus, stomach fundus, descending duodenum, jejunum, ileum, transverse colon) by tissue section autoradiography. 125I-TGF-alpha yielded a labeling pattern comparable to that of 125I-epidermal growth factor. Specific binding sites were particularly abundant in the mucosa in each region, with the highest concentration in the esophagus, colon, and stomach, as assessed by computer assisted densitometry. The density of binding sites was moderate in the stomach muscularis mucosae, low in the external muscle layer, and very low to undetectable in the submucosa throughout the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, the greatest density within the individual regions was detected in the area characterized by the highest proliferative rate. Lymphoid aggregates were not labeled. In conclusion, TGF-alpha receptor binding sites are present throughout the gastrointestinal tract with differential patterns in the various regions; they are principally distributed to the mucosa and predominantly located to proliferative cell areas. These results are consistent with a role of this factor in regional regulation of proliferation and differentiation in the gut.