We investigated the properties of the novel dorsal root ganglion (DRG) hybrid cell line F-11 to see how closely these cells resembled normal DRG cells. Under normal growth conditions, F-11 cells appeared to contain several short neurite-like processes. However, these cells could also be grown under conditions in which they showed a much more extensive neuronal morphology, exhibiting many long neurites. Several differentiated features of DRG cells were present on F-11 cells. These included the presence of delta-opioid receptors, receptors for prostaglandins and bradykinin, and dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. F-11 cells also synthesized and released a substance P-like compound, as determined by immunoreactivity. Both the number of bradykinin receptors and the voltage-sensitive calcium influx increased on cell differentiation. Opioid agonists (delta-specificity) were found to decrease cyclic AMP levels in F-11 cells in a naloxone- and pertussis toxin-reversible fashion. Bradykinin stimulated the synthesis of inositol-1,4-bisphosphate and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. Ca2+ channel agonists stimulated voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx in a dose-dependent, stereospecific manner, whereas Ca2+ channel antagonists inhibited Ca2+ influx. F-11 cells should, therefore, prove useful as models for authentic DRG neurons.