Benzothiazinones represent a novel class of drugs which block voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels in different tissues. [3H]HOE166 (R-(+-)-3,4-dihydro-2-isopropyl-4-methyl-2-[2-[4-[4-[2- (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-piperazinyl]butoxy]phenyl]-2H-1,4- benzothiazin-3-on-dihydrochloride; approximately 57 Ci/mmol) a potent optically pure benzothiazinone was employed to characterize receptors associated with skeletal muscle transverse tubule calcium channels. [3H]HOE166 reversibly labels the membrane-bound calcium channels with high affinity (Kd = 0.36 +/- 0.05 nM; Bmax = 18.2 +/- 3.3 pmol/mg of membrane protein; means +/- SD, n = 13), HOE166 (Ki = 0.76 nM) is 29-fold more potent than the respective (S)-enantiomer (Ki = 22.1 nM). Binding is inhibited by divalent and trivalent cations (Cd2+ and La3+ being most potent) and other calcium channel drugs (1,4 dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines). High affinity [3H]HOE166 binding activity is maintained (Kd = 4.5-9.0 nM) after solubilization and purification (554-1350 pmoles/mg of protein) of the calcium channel complex from transverse-tubule membranes. The following data support our recent claim (Striessnig et al. 1985, 1988) that HOE166 labels a domain on L-type calcium channels which is distinct from that defined by 1,4 dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines or benzothiazepines: (1) All 1,4 dihydropyridine-, phenylalkylamine- and benzothiazepine-receptor-selective drugs tested are only very weak inhibitors of [3H]HOE166 binding. (2) (+)-PN200-110 only partially inhibits [3H]HOE166 binding to the purified calcium channel complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)