Epidermal growth factor (EGF) regulates pancreatic acinar enzyme secretion. The mechanism of action of EGF in pancreatic acinar cells is not clear. In the present study we investigated the role of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) in EGF receptor signal transduction. Pancreatic acini were isolated from rat pancreas by collagenase digestion and permeabilized by digitonin. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C (PLC) was assessed using a radioreceptor assay specific for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [IP3(1,4,5)]. For measurement of amylase secretion isolated pancreatic acini were incubated with secretagogues for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Amylase released into the medium was assessed by monitoring the hydrolysis rate of p-nitrophenyl-alpha,D-maltohepatoside. The weakly hydrolyzable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[3-O-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) and guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) were used to activate and inhibit G protein-mediated signal transduction, respectively. EGF (90 nM) stimulated amylase release in isolated pancreatic acini. This effect was enhanced by guanosine 5'-[3-O-thio]triphosphate (0.1 mM), which stimulates G proteins. Guanosine 5'-diphosphate (1 mM), which inhibits the activity of heterotrimeric G proteins, had no effect on basal and EGF-induced amylase release. Lower EGF concentrations (20 nM) inhibited COOH-terminal cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8)-induced IP3(1,4,5) production and amylase release in pancreatic acini). However, in the presence of GDP, EGF had no significant effect on CCK8-stimulated amylase release. Furthermore, coincubation of the acini with CCK8, EGF, and GDP revealed that GDP reduces the inhibitory effect of EGF on CCK8-induced IP3(1,4,5) production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)