Binding sites for [3H]cAMP on purified regulatory dimers of type II A-kinase (II-R2) are independent as assessed by equilibrium binding (KD = 6 +/- 1.3 nM at pH 7.2, 25 degrees; nH = 1.0) and by the lack of effect of unlabeled cAMP on dissociation rate (kd = 1.0 X 10(-3) sec -1 at pH 7.2, 25 degrees). In contrast, binding sites for [3H]cGMP on purified G-kinase displayed positively cooperative interactions in both equilibrium and dissociation assays with convex upward Scatchard plots, an nH of 1.6 and a dissociation rate (kd = 6.2 X 10(-3) sec-1 at pH 6.8, 0 degree) which was slowed by excess unlabeled cGMP (kd = 1.13 X 10(-3) sec-1 at pH 6.8, degree). Calculated transition state free energies of dissociation revealed that dissociation of nucleotide from G-kinase in the presence of cGMP was restrained by an energy barrier (20.8 kcal.mol-1) similar to that of II-R2 (20.9 kcal.mol-1), whereas dissociation from G-kinase without excess nucleotide occurred more easily (18.9 kcal.mol-1).