Murine neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115) during their growth from log to late stationary phase, expressed no specific neurotensin binding sites until day 7 in culture. From day 7 to day 20, binding sites increased 6-fold in number/cell and more than 4-fold in sites/mg protein. Neurotensin-mediated cyclic [3H]GMP synthesis was not detected until day 17. For these cells these data show that neurotensin receptor binding and function are regulated with respect to growth cycle and that presence of neurotensin binding sites is not sufficient for receptor function.