Coupling of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor to particulate guanylate cyclase has been demonstrated kinetically and chromatographically using bovine lung plasma membranes and their detergent extracts. Addition of ANP to the membrane suspension stimulated guanylate cyclase activity 2-5-fold indicating the presence of ANP-sensitive particulate guanylate cyclase. The enzyme retained the ability to respond to ANP even after solubilization with digitonin. Characterization of the solubilized enzyme by gel filtration and affinity chromatography revealed that the ANP receptor and particulate guanylate cyclase exist as a functionally but not covalently linked stable complex.