Peripheral dopamine receptors are classified as DA1 and DA2 receptors, similar to but distinct from central D1 and D2 receptors. Here we report the characterization of DA1 dopamine receptors in the opossum kidney (OK) cell line, which possesses properties of renal proximal tubule cells. OK cell membranes contain 248 +/- 12 fmol [125I]Sch 23982 binding sites/mg protein, which possess pharmacological properties appropriate for a DA1 receptor. Dopamine stimulates adenylyl cyclase via these receptors 4.3 +/- 0.4-fold (50% effective concentration = 4.0 +/- 0.7 microM). The responsiveness of this signaling system is regulated by agonist exposure. Exposure of these cells to dopamine leads to a rapid and profound desensitization of DA1-receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase that appears to be independent of the slower downregulation of DA1 receptors. Treatment of cells with 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate also desensitizes dopamine-stimulated adenylyl cyclase but in a fashion qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from that induced by agonist exposure. These data suggest that the cellular machinery for both homologous and heterologous desensitization of the DA1-receptor response exists in OK cells. Thus OK cells provide a model system for the study of the peripheral actions of dopamine at DA1 receptors and the regulation of these receptors.