Isoproterenol (50 nM) potentiated the effects of angiotensin (1-50 nM) on 86Rb efflux and 45Ca efflux from guinea pig hepatocytes. This effect occurred in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ and required the simultaneous presence of both isoproterenol and angiotensin. Neither the divalent cationophore, A23187, nor 4 beta-phorbol dibutyrate could substitute for angiotensin. The effects of isoproterenol were greatest with submaximal concentrations of angiotensin, whereas maximal concentrations of angiotensin were affected little. Isoproterenol did not substantially increase the formation of [3H]inositol triphosphate or the ratio of isomers [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate formed in response to angiotensin. Isoproterenol also enhanced the phase of Ca2+ mobilization involving Ca2+ entry which is consistent with the previously proposed functional linkage between receptor-regulated Ca2+ release and Ca2+ entry. These findings suggest that isoproterenol may act by increasing the sensitivity of the endoplasmic reticulum to the Ca2+-releasing action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.