The role of Na+ channels and membrane potential in stimulus secretion coupling in adrenal medulla cell cultures was investigated. Veratridine, aconitine, batrachotoxin (BTX), and scorpion venom, which increase the flux of ions through tetrodotoxin(TTX)-sensitive Na+ channels, all evoke secretion of catecholamines that is blocked by TTX. TTX partially inhibits secretion induced by low concentrations of nicotine in Locke's solution but has no effect on high concentrations of nicotine (20 microM). In Ca2+-sucrose media TTX has no effect on secretion at either high or low concentrations of nicotine. Replacement of Na+ with Li+ in Locke's solution reduces the response to nicotine and to veratridine. Complete replacement of Na+ with hydrazine, diethanolamine, TRIS, and choline completely inhibits the response to nicotine and almost completely inhibits the response to veratridine. Following exposure of cells to 50 mM-100 mM-K+, nicotine does not stimulate catecholamine secretion unless the cells are resuspended in media containing less than 50 mM-K+. Neither dibutyryl-cyclic AMP nor dibutyryl-cyclic GMP evokes secretion. alpha-Bungarotoxin (1 microM) did not inhibit nicotine-induced secretion. These studies indicate that Na+ channels and acetylcholine (ACh) receptor ion channels are independently coupled to the influx of Ca2+. The membrane potential appears to affect nicotine- and veratridine-evoked secretion.