1. The rat clonal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) was used to study changes in the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) that are related to the distribution of L-type (dihydropyridine-sensitive) and N-type (omega-conotoxin-sensitive) calcium channels during nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced outgrowth of neurites. Changes in [Ca2+]i during K+ depolarization were recorded by means of Fura-2 single-cell microfluorimetry. 2. The basal [Ca2+]i of cells at rest was not altered by long-term treatment with NGF, neither in the cell bodies nor in the growth cones. K+ depolarization of the cells caused a rise in [Ca2+]i. 3. The dihydropyridine (DHP) nifedipine alone, or together with omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTX), were similarly effective in inhibiting the K(+)-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in untreated and NGF-treated cell bodies, arguing for a preferential distribution of L-type Ca2+ channels in this cell area. By contrast, after 6-7 days exposure to NGF the K(+)-induced initial transient rise of [Ca2+]i in growth cones was very sensitive to omega-CgTX, whereas nifedipine affected only the sustained rise. 4. PC12 cells also contain caffeine- and inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. Addition of 30 mM-caffeine caused a fast transient rise in [Ca2+]i. The extent of filling of the caffeine-sensitive pool affected basal [Ca2+]i. These Ca2+ storage sites were empty under normal culture conditions. However, a single K+ depolarization caused filling of the stores, followed by spontaneous depletion (50% in about 5 min) after wash-out of high [K+]o. When the caffeine-sensitive stores were empty, the rise in [Ca2+]i was attenuated during submaximal depolarization. Caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores were also present in some growth cones, though with much smaller capacities than in cell bodies. 5. Mobilization of Ca2+ from the IP3-sensitive store, by bradykinin exposure, was found to be independent of the caffeine-sensitive pool. There was no apparent 'cross-talk' between both Ca2+ pools. 6. We conclude that changes in [Ca2+]i in cell bodies depend on both membrane Ca2+ channels and intracellular Ca2+ stores. During NGF-induced differentiation there is a predominance of N-type Ca2+ channels in growth cones, while Ca2+ stores are of minor importance in these structures.