This study investigated the pH (chemical) and electrical gradients in lamellar bodies, the acidic surfactant-secreting organelles of lung epithelial type II cells, by following the uptake of a weak fluorescent base, quinacrine, and a membrane potential-sensitive dye, bis-(3-phenyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethine oxonol (oxonol V). In isolated lung lamellar bodies, the ATP-dependent uptake of both agents could be inhibited by bafilomycin A1, a reportedly specific inhibitor of vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) and could be dissipated by a protonophore, carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone, suggesting that the V-ATPase generates an electropositive interior. A closely linked uptake of Cl- neutralizes the positive electrical potential and increases the proton pump activity. The uptake of quinacrine, but not oxonol V, was decreased by Na+. This effect of Na+ could be prevented by dimethylamiloride, suggesting the presence of electroneutral Na+/H+ exchanger in lamellar body membranes. The initial rates of quinacrine and oxonol V uptake were increased by bumetanide, but only in the presence of Na+, K+, and Cl-, suggesting that the lamellar bodies also contain an outwardly directed electroneutral Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter. Thus three ion transporters, H(+)-translocating V-ATPase, Na+/H+ exchanger, and Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter, appear to determine the chemical and electrical gradients across the lamellar body membrane.