Calmodulin (CaM) content in rabbit reticulocyte and the influence of opioid peptides on CaM activity in its membrane were studied by a highly sensitive assay of CaM activity based on the stimulation of Calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase activity. The CaM contents in reticulocytes were higher than those in normal erythrocytes, both in the cytosol fraction and in the membrane fraction. Among the opioid peptides, beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and dynorphin-A-(1-13) (dyn) had a significant inhibitory effect on CaM activity in reticulocyte membrane. The effect was not antagonized by naloxone or Mr. 2266, nor influenced by increase of Ca2+ concentration, but was reversed by the addition of exogenous CaM. This implies that the action of beta-EP and dyn on reticulocyte membranes probably involves an non-opioid mechanism, in which CaM may be an important key of linkage.