Transsynaptic neurogenic activity and reserpine are two signals that cause the proenkephalin (Penk) gene to alter the levels of preproenkephalin (PPenk) mRNA and enkephalin-containing (EC) peptides. In the Syrian hamster adrenal, but not in rat adrenal, both of these signals appear to be positive activators of Penk gene expression. The separate and combined effects of reserpine and denervation on EC peptides and catecholamine systems were investigated in the adrenal of the hamster, a species with relatively high medullary PPenk mRNA and EC peptide levels. Unilateral adrenal denervation resulted in a rapid decrease in PPenk mRNA levels of 54% after 2 days, and by 11 days 90% of Penk mRNA had disappeared. After 4 days both EC peptide and PPenk mRNA levels fell in parallel, whereas total RNA and soluble protein levels were unchanged. Denervation had no effect on TH mRNA levels until 8 days after surgery, and after 11 days both TH mRNA and catecholamine levels had decreased by 35-45%. Reserpine produced a dose- and time-dependent depletion of EC peptides and catecholamines. One day after 5 mg/kg reserpine (given subcutaneously on each of 2 consecutive days), EC peptides were reduced by 80%, norepinephrine by 79%, and epinphrine by greater than 95%. By 4 days after treatment, EC peptides and catecholamines slightly exceeded or had returned to control (concurrent vehicle treatment) values. PPenk mRNA levels, as measured by solution hybridization, were doubled (206 +/- 17%, mean +/- standard error) by day 4. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels were increased nearly 7-fold (686 +/- 71%) 24 hr after the first reserpine dose and declined thereafter. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that reserpine did not alter the size of either PPenk or TH mRNAs. Size exclusion chromatography showed a small (20%) reserpine-induced increase in processing of high molecular weight Penk-like peptides. The effects of reserpine, which increases PPenk mRNA, EC peptides, and TH mRNA, were completely blocked by unilateral denervation, whereas the contralateral innervated gland showed the expected responses. The co-localized EC peptide and catecholamine systems, as reflected in their mRNAs, respond differently in both time sequence and magnitude to reserpine and to denervation. Our results support a critical role, in vivo, for transsynaptic mechanisms in the maintenance of the high levels of Penk gene expression in this species and for the positive activation (mediated by reflex neurogenic stimulation) of reserpine on Penk and TH gene expression.