Adenine nucleotides displace the binding of the selective adenosine A-1 receptor ligand [3H]cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) to rat brain membranes in a concentration-dependent manner, with the rank order of activity being ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP. Binding was also displaced by GTP, ITP, adenylylimidodiphosphate (AppNHp), 2-methylthioATP, and the beta-gamma-methylene isostere of ATP, but was unaffected by the alpha-beta-methylene isosteres of ADP and ATP, and UTP. At ATP concentrations greater than 100 microM, the inhibitory effects on CPA binding were reversed, until at 2 mM ATP, specific binding of CPA was identical to that seen in controls. Concentrations of ATP greater than 10 mM totally inhibited specific binding. Inclusion of the catabolic enzyme adenosine deaminase in the incubation medium abolished the inhibitory effects of ATP, indicating that these were due to adenosine formation, presumably due to ectonucleotidase activity. The inhibitory effects were also attenuated by the alpha-beta-methylene isostere of ATP, an ectonucleotidase inhibitor. Adenosine deaminase, alpha-beta-methylene ATP (100 microM), and beta-gamma-methylene ATP (100 microM) had no effect on the "stimulatory" phase of binding, although GTP (100 microM) slightly attenuated it. Comparison of the binding of [3H]CPA in the absence and presence of 2 mM ATP by saturation analysis showed that the KD and apparent Bmax values were identical. Examination of the pharmacology of the control and "ATP-dependent" CPA binding sites showed slight changes in binding of adenosine agonists and antagonists. The responses observed with high concentrations of ATP were not observed with GTP, AppNHp, the chelating agents EDTA and EGTA, or inorganic phosphate. The divalent cations Mg2+ and Ca2+ at 10 mM attenuated the stimulatory actions of high (2 mM) concentrations of ATP, whereas EGTA and EDTA (10 mM) enhanced the "stimulatory" actions of ATP. EDTA (10 mM) abolished the inhibitory effects of ATP, indicating a specific dependence on Mg2+ for the inhibitory response. The effects of ATP on [3H]CPA binding were reversible for antagonists but not agonists. The mechanism by which ATP reverses its own inhibitory action on adenosine A-1 radioligand binding is unclear, and from the observed actions of the divalent cations and chelating agents probably does not involve a phosphorylation-dependent process.