The ontogeny of Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) mRNA in the mouse lung was examined, using alpha- and beta-isoform-specific probes in Northern blot assays and for in situ hybridization analysis. Northern blot assays demonstrated an increase in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase expression in the perinatal period, peaking at birth (D1), with alpha 1- and beta 1-isoform levels reaching six to eight times adult levels. In situ alpha 1-isoform hybridization signals were localized primarily to developing airway epithelium and were most intense on D1. Postnatally, alpha 1-isoform hybridization signals persisted in airway epithelium, although progressively diminishing in intensity relative to perinatal levels. In developing alveolar regions, alpha 1-isoform hybridization signals remained slightly above background during this period. beta 1-Isoform hybridization signals increased dramatically during the perinatal period in both developing airway and alveolar epithelia. Postnatally, beta 1-isoform hybridization signals declined slightly in airway epithelium and developed a punctate pattern in alveolar epithelium. These data indicate that the perinatal increase in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase expression observed in the developing mouse lung is localized primarily to epithelial structures and is therefore likely to be related to the changes in transepithelial ion and fluid transport known to occur in the perinatal period.