Two radioligands, 125I-labeled substance P (125I-SP) and 125I-labeled substance K (125I-SK), were used to characterize the kinetics and stoichiometry of binding of mammalian tachykinins [substance P (SP), substance K (SK), and neuromedin K (NK)] to smooth muscle cells isolated from the longitudinal muscle layer of guinea pig intestine. Specific binding of 125I-SP and 125I-SK was rapid, saturable, reversible, and temperature dependent. Binding attained 63-70% of steady-state binding within 1 min, coincidentally with the time of optimal contraction. The order of potency with which mammalian tachykinins and the SP antagonist, [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP, inhibited the binding of both radioligands was identical: SP greater than SK greater than NK greater than [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP, implying preferential interaction with a site that had highest affinity for SP. SK was 2-3 times, NK 3-4 times, and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP 7-23 times less potent than SP (IC50 0.36 nM). Except for NK, the order of potency was similar to that for contraction of isolated muscle cells. The existence of binding sites with even higher affinity was suggested by the ability of muscle cells to contract in response to concentrations as low as 10(-13) M. These binding sites were not detectable at the concentration of radioligands used. It was concluded that a SP receptor is the only tachykinin receptor subtype present on intestinal muscle cells of the guinea pig.