Culture and natriuretic peptide dependent changes in the expression of the natriuretic peptides atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and the natriuretic peptide receptors A, B, and C in primary cultures of rat proximal tubular cells were demonstrated using polymerase chain reaction analysis and cyclic guanosine monophosphate response to ANF and CNP. Freshly isolated cells expressed mRNA coding for the natriuretic peptide receptor C only, with no expression of the natriuretic peptides or the natriuretic peptide receptors A or B. At confluence natriuretic peptide receptor C expression was lost, while mRNA transcripts for both ANF and BNP and the A and B receptors became apparent. The appearance of mRNA transcripts for the natriuretic peptide receptors A and B during cell growth correspond with a significant increase in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate response to both ANF and CNP, confirming the presence of functionally active guanylate cyclase linked A and B natriuretic peptide receptors. The observed changes in peptide receptor expression during culture were preceded by changes in natriuretic peptide mRNA expression, suggesting the possibility that natriuretic peptide receptor subtype switching may be under the control of endogenous peptide release. Incubation of freshly isolated proximal tubular cells with ANF, BNP, or CNP for 3 h induced similar changes in receptor expression. Incubation with ANF induced expression of the natriuretic peptide receptor B and CNP while inhibiting natriuretic peptide receptor C. Incubation with BNP induced expression of the natriuretic peptide receptor B and CNP. Incubation with CNP induced expression of the natriuretic peptide receptors A and B and CNP. These results suggest that primary cultures of rat proximal tubular cells may experience natriuretic peptide and natriuretic peptide receptor subtype switching as they approach confluence under the control of endogenously expressed natriuretic peptides.