Bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells maintained in tissue culture accumulated [3H]-noradrenaline by a high affinity, Na(+)-dependent, desipramine-sensitive process. The accumulation was linear with time (1-90 min) and had an apparent Km of 0.52 +/- 0.24 mumol/l and Vmax of 1.70 +/- 0.48 pmol/(10(5) cells.15 min). Pretreatment of the cells with the ADP-ribosylating agent pertussis toxin resulted in a reduction in the Vmax [0.81 +/- 0.39 pmol/(10(5)cells.15 min)] but no significant change in the apparent affinity (Km = 0.42 +/- 0.07 mumol/l). This inhibition of [3H]noradrenaline accumulation was distinct from that produced by the vesicular transport inhibitor reserpine. Pertussis toxin inhibition probably did not arise through an indirect action on the Na(+)-gradient because while, as expected, Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition reduced [3H]noradrenaline accumulation, pertussis toxin pretreatment always caused a further significant reduction even in the presence of maximally effective concentrations of ouabain. Stimulation of the cAMP-protein kinase A system by forskolin or 8-bromocyclic AMP also caused a reduction in [3H] noradrenaline accumulation but again pertussis toxin pretreatment always resulted in a further reduction. Thus, the data provide evidence for a pertussis toxin-sensitive element in the catecholamine accumulation process and are consistent with an action at a site directly associated with the transporter itself rather than with an indirect action via secondary processes.