Many neuromodulators inhibit N-type Ca 2؉ currents via G protein-coupled pathways in acutely isolated superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons. Less is known about which neuromodulators affect release of norepinephrine (NE) at varicosities and terminals of these neurons. To address this question, we used carbon fiber amperometry to measure catecholamine secretion evoked by electrical stimulation at presumed sites of high terminal density in cultures of SCG neurons. The pharmacological properties of action potential-evoked NE release paralleled those of N-type Ca 2؉ channels: Release was completely blocked by Cd 2؉ or -conotoxin GVIA, reduced 50% by 10 M NE or 62% by 2 M UK-14,304, an ␣ 2 -adrenergic agonist, and reduced 63% by 10 M oxotremorine M (Oxo-M), a muscarinic agonist. Consistent with action at M 2 or M 4 receptor subtypes, Oxo-M could be antagonized by 10 M muscarinic antagonists methoctramine and tropicamide but not by pirenzepine. After overnight incubation with pertussis toxin, inhibition by UK-14,304 and Oxo-M was much reduced. Other neuromodulators known to inhibit Ca 2؉ channels in these cells, including adenosine, prostaglandin E 2 , somatostatin, and secretin, also depressed secretion by 34-44%. In cultures treated with -conotoxin GVIA, secretion dependent on L-type Ca 2؉ channels was evoked with long exposure to high K ؉ Ringer's solution. This secretion was not sensitive to UK-14,304 or Oxo-M. Evidently, many neuromodulators act on the secretory terminals of SCG neurons, and the depression of NE release at terminals closely parallels the membrane-delimited inhibition of N-type Ca 2؉ currents in the soma.Patch-clamp technique studies have shown that N-type Ca 2ϩ channels of the cell soma are modulated via many different G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons (1-6; for review, see ref. 7). Many neurotransmitter receptors, including ␣ 2 -adrenergic, somatostatin, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), adenosine, M 4 muscarinic, pancreatic polypeptide, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and substance P, inhibit by a fast, membrane-delimited mechanism (7). Angiotensin II receptors and M 1 muscarinic receptors inhibit Ca 2ϩ channels via a slow, diffusible cytoplasmic messenger.Despite intensive work dissecting different modulatory pathways and investigating their underlying mechanisms (7-9), definite physiological roles for Ca 2ϩ channel inhibition in SCG cells have not yet been determined. Two have been proposed (7, 10): (i) In the soma, inhibition of Ca 2ϩ entry could alter cell excitability and action potential firing patterns because the somata possess Ca 2ϩ -activated K ϩ channels and Ca 2ϩ -sensitive M-type K ϩ channels (11-13), and (ii) at sympathetic nerve terminals and varicosities, inhibition of Ca 2ϩ influx could decrease norepinephrine (NE) secretion, as in Dunlap and Fischbach's (14) general concept of presynaptic inhibition. This hypothesis would require that N-type Ca 2ϩ channels be functionally coupled to many receptors at the dist...