The hexapeptide [pGlu6,Pro9]substance P (SP)6-11, septide, has been shown to be an agonist as potent as SP in eliciting smooth muscle contraction in several in vitro preparations, while being a poor competitor of labeled SP binding. These results, as well as other pharmacological data, have suggested the existence of either a specific septide receptor or a septide site on the neurokinin (NK)1 receptor distinct from that for SP. We have used rat recombinant NK1 receptor expressed in COS-1 cells to address this issue. Both functional (agonist-induced inositol phosphate accumulation) and radioligand binding studies were conducted on transiently transfected cells. SP and septide elicited similar maximal increases (4-6-fold) in inositol phosphate levels in transfected cells, with EC50 values of 0.05 +/- 0.02 nM for SP and 5 +/- 2 nM for septide. No additivity of the maximal responses to the two agonists was observed, and neither agonist evoked any response in sham-transfected cells. RP 67580 was a competitive inhibitor of SP responses, with an inhibition constant (KB) of 13 +/- 2 nM, in agreement with displacement studies of [3H]SP binding to membranes and intact transfected cells (Ki values of 10 +/- 4 nM, and 1.16 +/- 0.06 nM, respectively). In comparison, septide responses were inhibited by RP 67580 in an uncompetitive fashion, with an apparent KB* value of 1.5 +/- 0.2 nM. Septide was a weak competitor of [3H]SP binding, with dissociation constants (Ki) of 2.9 +/- 0.6 microM and 3.7 +/- 0.9 microM for membranes and intact transfected cells, respectively. Similarly, septide at concentrations up to 10 microM did not affect [3H]RP 67580 binding. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that septide is a potent functional agonist of the NK1 receptor but it seems to act at a specific subsite different from that for SP. Although not ruling out the existence of selective septide receptors in some tissues, these results could explain some of the discrepancies with regard to the pharmacological properties of septide. Furthermore, a specific septide site on the NK1 receptor could represent an original pharmacological target.