Transfection of mouse L(tk-) cells with human N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit cDNAs under the control of a dexamethasone-inducible promoter has been used to generate two stable cell lines expressing NR1a/NR2A receptors and a stable cell line expressing NR1a/NR2B receptors. The cell lines have been characterised by northern and western blot analyses, and the pharmacology of the recombinant receptors determined by radioligand binding techniques. Pharmacological differences were identified between the two NMDA receptor subtypes. The glutamate site antagonist D, L-(epsilon)-2-[3H]amino-4-propyl-5-phosphono-3-pentanoic acid ([3H]CGP 39653) had high affinity for NR1a/NR2A receptors (KD = 3.93 nM) but did not bind to NR1a/NR2B receptors. Glycine site agonists showed a 2.6-5.4-fold higher affinity for NR1a/NR2B receptors. Data from radioligand binding studies indicated that one of the cell lines, NR1a/NR2A-I, expressed a stoichiometric excess of the NR1a subunit, which may exist as homomeric assemblies. This observation has implications when interpreting data from pharmacological analysis of recombinant receptors, as well as understanding the assembly and control of expression of native NMDA receptors.