To elucidate the mechanisms of action of endothelin (ET) on vascular smooth muscles, the contractile responses of the isolated porcine coronary artery to ET were precisely investigated. ET produced concentration-dependent vasoconstrictions that were not mediated by biogenic amines, arachidonate metabolites, or endothelium-derived contractile factors. The maximum response to ET was identical to the response to K+ depolarization. The vasoconstrictor activity of ET was at least one or two orders of magnitude more potent than other vasoconstrictors (BAY K 8644, histamine, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin F2 alpha) examined. The action of ET was antagonized by a dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonist, nicardipine, in a competitive fashion. ET-induced vasoconstriction was not mediated by membrane depolarization. A small amount of ET (2 x 10(-10) M) caused a leftward shift of the concentration-response relationship for K+. ET (5 x 10(-10), 5 x 10(-8) M) accelerated 45Ca2+ uptake to the smooth muscle cells, which were inhibited by nicardipine. However, ET did not affect the specific binding of [125I]iodipine to the smooth muscle cell membrane. These results suggest that ET produces vasoconstriction via ultimately accelerating Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels but that the binding site is distinct from that of dihydropyridines.