Inhibition both in vivo and in vitro of pepsinogen secretion by somatostatin (SS) and the histological demonstration that fundic D-cells contain long cytoplasmic processes extending to chief cells suggest a possible direct effect of SS on chief cell function. The aim of the present study was to determine whether SS interacts directly with receptors on isolated gastric chief cells and, if so, how SS alters cell function. Binding of 125I-[Tyr11]SS14 to chief cells was saturable, time and temperature dependent, and was inhibited by both SS14 (Ki 1.6 nM) and SS28 (Ki 5.2 nM). SMS-201-995 was 1,300-fold less potent than SS14. Calcium-mobilizing secretagogues reduced binding of 125I-[Tyr11]SS14 with efficacies of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) > carbachol > gastrin. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-activating secretagogues also inhibited binding with efficacies of secretin > vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or A-23187 also decreased binding. Analyses demonstrated that CCK-8 and TPA were decreasing the affinity of SS receptors for 125I-[Tyr11]SS14 without affecting their binding capacity. Both SS14 and SS28 at a maximally effective concentration inhibited cAMP production caused by VIP or secretin (20-30%) but did not alter cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), inositol phosphates, or pepsinogen release. We conclude that chief cells possess SS receptors with a high affinity for both SS14 and SS28 but low affinity for SMS-201-995 and thus resemble the SSB receptors described in the rat cerebral cortex. Although occupation of these receptors by SS has no effect on pepsinogen release induced by secretagogues acting through either the calcium or the cAMP pathway, SS receptor occupation is regulated by agents activating phospholipase C, adenylate cyclase, protein kinase C, and [Ca2]i.