The actions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression were studied using IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Treatment of these cells with bFGF for 3 days induced the expression of detectable levels of immunoreactive TH protein and TH mRNA. In contrast, CNTF did not affect TH expression unless bFGF was present. In the presence of saturating amounts of bFGF, CNTF increased TH protein and mRNA levels of TH two-to threefold over those found in bFGF-treated cultures. The effects of CNTF on TH expression diminished with increasing culture time, and after 6 days of incubation CNTF no longer enhanced TH levels. The requirement for bFGF as cofactor in the effects of CNTF on TH was specific, as CNTF did not affect TH when it was coadministered with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cyclic AMP, another agent that stimulates TH development in this cell line, and bFGF was not required for CNTF to stimulate the development of choline acetyltransferase. Moreover, cotreatment with bFGF reduced the ability of CNTF to enhance choline acetyltransferase. These results demonstrate that bFGF and CNTF can enhance expression of TH and that bFGF can modify the effects of CNTF on neurotransmitter phenotype.