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The molecular mechanism of action of three chemically distinct nonpeptide antagonists, SR 140,333, FK 888, and RP 67,580, was compared with that of the previously characterized compound CP 96,345, using a series of chimeric constructs between their common target, the rat neurokinin (NK)-1 (substance P) receptor, and the homologous nonresponsive NK-3 (NKB) receptor. The ability of all four nonpeptide compounds to displace radiolabeled substance P from the NK-1 receptor and their ability to inhibit the peptide-induced increase in inositol phosphate turnover were critically dependent on structural elements located in an area from the middle of the second extracellular loop through transmembrane segments V and VI to the middle of the third extracellular loop of the NK-1 receptor. Dissection of the domain around the outer part of transmembrane segments V and VI into smaller segments demonstrated that the individual nonpeptide antagonists, in agreement with their distinct chemical structures, were dependent on different subepitopes within the common putative binding domain. Full NK-1-like susceptibility to SR 140,333, FK 888, and CP 96,345 could be transferred to the NK-3 receptor by exchange of transmembrane segments V and VI and adjacent parts with corresponding segments from the NK-1 receptor. For SR 140,333 and CP 96,345, almost the same effect could be achieved by transfer of two discontinuous segments around the top of transmembrane segments V and VI. RP 67,580 shared interaction sites with the other compounds around the top of transmembrane segment VI but appeared also to be dependent on transmembrane segment VII. It is concluded that four nonpeptide antagonists, despite overt chemical differences, appear to block NK-1 receptor function by interacting in distinct ways with a common site located spatially around the outer part of transmembrane segment VI.