Angiotensin II (ANG II) was shown to modulate transport in the renal proximal tubule through both inhibition of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We evaluated the effects of ANG II on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content and Na-H exchange activity (amiloride-sensitive Na influx) in two strains of opossum kidney (OK) cells originating from different sources, OK-VD and OK-RR cells. In OK-VD cells, ANG II inhibited basal and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced cAMP generation in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner and reversed PTH inhibition of Na-H exchange. These effects of ANG II were prevented by PD 123319, a selective nonpeptide antagonist of AT2 receptors. In contrast, DuP 753, which antagonizes selectively AT1 receptors, had no effect. In OK-RR cells, ANG II had no effect on cAMP content and decreased Na-H exchange activity. The effect of ANG II persisted in the presence of PTH but was abolished by PKC downregulation and by DuP 753, but not by PD 123319. In conclusion, two types of ANG II receptors, coupled to distinct signaling pathways, were expressed independently in OK cells originating from two different sources and mediated opposite effects of ANG II on Na-H exchange activity. Those models provide a powerful tool for studying the intracellular steps involved in the tubular effects of ANG II and to evaluate the effect of pharmacological inhibitors of ANG II binding to its receptors.