The N-formyl peptide chemotactic receptor of human neutrophils possesses a 2-kDa papain-removable extracellular domain that contains two N-linked oligosaccharide side chains and is not required for the high-affinity ligand binding. In the present study, the significance of the extracellular domain and the carbohydrates for signal transduction was elucidated by measuring the N-formyl hexapeptide-induced intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and the change in myeloperoxidase secretion in the control and papain-treated human neutrophils. [Ca2+]i was monitored both in cell suspension and individual cells with intracellularly trapped Fura 2 acetoxymethyl ester, using spectrofluorometric analysis and fluorescence ratio image analysis, respectively. The exposure of the cells in suspension to N-formyl hexapeptide resulted in an immediate, dose-dependent burst of elevated [Ca2+]i, which was virtually identical in both control and papain-treated cells with respect to the extent and kinetics. The maximum burst was 1.6-fold and was obtained at 10(-6) M hexapeptide. The individual control and papain-treated cells responded to 10(-6) M hexapeptide in a similar manner with several successive transients of [Ca2+]i, the maximum level being 3.0-3.5 microM. In both groups the [Ca2+]i transient began initially in the cell periphery, expanding rapidly throughout the cells. Concomitantly, the cells became polarized, and their chemokinesis increased. The secretion of myeloperoxidase was monitored as a physiological end response to N-formyl chemotactic peptides. The exposure of the control and papain-treated cells in suspension to hexapeptide resulted in a dose-dependent secretion of myeloperoxidase. The maximum secretion after exposure to 10(-8)-10(-6) M hexapeptide was equal in control and papain-treated neutrophils. These results indicate that the functional properties of the membrane-inserted N-formyl peptide chemotactic receptor are inherent to the receptor's transmembrane and intracellular domains, as far as binding of the ligand and subsequent receptor activation are concerned.