Receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have been demonstrated in renal mesangial cells as well as other cell types in the glomerulus. The biochemical basis for the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics remains undefined. Using cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, we demonstrated a concentration-dependent stimulation of cGMP production in intact cells, and of guanylate cyclase in membranes. Despite the presence of a guanylate cyclase response, ANP had no inhibitory effect on basal inositol trisphosphate production nor on basal cytosolic calcium. Arginine vasopressin stimulated IP3 production, caused a rise in cytosolic calcium as measured using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe Indo-1, and caused mesangial cell contraction. ANP caused a slight but significant enhancement of vasopressin-stimulated IP3 production, but had no effect on the cytosolic calcium response nor on the contractile response. 8-Bromo-cGMP likewise had no effect on the generation of the calcium signal. These results indicate that the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics are not mediated by an alteration in the generation of the calcium signal in mesangial cells. In contrast, addition of calcium inhibited ANP stimulated guanylate cyclase activity.