We examined [H-3]-noradrenaline ([H-3]-NA) release from rat brain cortical synaptosomes permeated with streptolysin-O (SLO) under a variety of conditions. Three temperatures (20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 30 degrees C) were tested at different times of permeation. Lowering the incubation temperature to 20 degrees C decreased basal release, but Ca2+-induced [H-3]-NA release increased slightly. Also, the incubation time to achieve the maximal ratio of Ca2+-induced release to basal release shifted to longer times with decreasing incubation temperature. If the synaptosomes were permeated with SLO before release was triggered, similar results were observed. Permeation at 20 degrees C allowed [gamma-P-32] ATP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) catalytic subunit to rapidly enter the synaptosomes to phosphorylate synapsins. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux was time- and SLO-concentration dependent, The fact that 0.1 mM Cd2+ did not inhibit [H-3]-NA release from permeabilized synaptosomes indicated that permeabilization by SLO was complete under these conditions. This also suggests that the release machinery involved after Ca2+ entry is not sensitive to Cd2+.