The catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine, play a central role in the regulation of sodium homeostasis and blood pressure. Dopamine inhibits tubular Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity and increases sodium excretion. Norepinephrine stimulates Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity and decreases urinary sodium excretion. The signaling pathway by which these two opposite first messengers regulate Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity involves the dopamine-specific protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor, DARPP-32, and the norepinephrine-activated protein phosphatase-2B, calcineurin. Aberrations in the renal dopamine/norepinephrine system may be the cause of alterations in the regulation of sodium excretion during ontogeny and in salt-sensitive hypertension.