AtT-20 cells comprise a mouse anterior pituitary tumor cell line that synthesizes and secretes adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). beta-Adrenergic receptors were characterized on AtT-20 cells using receptor binding methodology and the ability of beta-receptor agonists to stimulate intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) formation and the release of ACTH immunoreactivity. The density of beta-receptors on membrane preparations of these cells is 64 fmol/mg of protein and their affinity constant (KD value) for tritiated dihydroalprenolol is 11 nM. The binding of [3H] dihydroalprenolol to AtT-20 cells is stereoselectively inhibited by propranolol and isoproterenol but is not affected by phentolamine. The beta-receptors on these cells appear to be of the beta 2-receptor subtype since a selective beta 2-receptor agonist, salmefamol, can inhibit [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding, whereas practolol, a beta 1-receptor blocker, is ineffective. (-)-Isoproterenol stimulates cAMP formation in AtT-20 cells and this effect is blocked by dl-propranolol. Both l-epinephrine and l-norepinephrine induce dose-dependent increases in cAMP formation with the former agonist being more potent. Salmefamol also stimulates cAMP formation in these cells. The secretion of ACTH from AtT-20 cells is induced by (-)-isoproterenol as well as by other adrenergic agonists. The isoproterenol effect on ACTH release is stereoselective, calcium dependent, and blocked by dl-propranolol but not by phentolamine or practolol.