Heterotrimeric G-proteins, as well as small GTPases of the Rho and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family, are implicated in the regulation of lipid kinases, including PtdIns 4-kinases and PtdIns(4)P 5-kinases. Here, we describe a PtdIns 4-kinase activity on immature secretory granules (ISGs), regulated secretory organelles formed from the trans-Golgi network (TGN), and investigate the regulation of PtdIns4P levels on these membranes. Over 50% of the PtdIns 4-kinase activity on ISGs is inhibited by both a low concentration of adenosine and the monoclonal antibody 4C5G, a specific inhibitor of the type II PtdIns 4-kinase. Treatment of ISGs with mastoparan 7 (M7) stimulates the type II PtdIns 4-kinase via pertussis-toxin-sensitive Gi/G0 proteins, which, in contrast with previous results obtained with chromaffin granules [Gasman, Chasserot-Golaz, Hubert, Aunis and Bader (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 16913–16920], does not require Rho A, B or C. M7 treatment also leads to an inhibition in the recruitment of ARF to ISG membranes: this inhibition is not dependent on Gi/G0 activation, and is not linked to the stimulation of PtdIns 4-kinase observed with M7. PtdIns 4-kinase activity on ISGs is not regulated by myristoylated ARF1—GTP, in contrast with results obtained with Golgi membranes [Godi, Pertile, Meyers, Marra, Di Tullio, Iurisci, Luini, Corda and De Matteis (1999) Nat. Cell Biol. 1, 280–287; Jones, Morris, Morgan, Kondo, Irvine and Cockcroft (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 13962–13170], whereas ARF1—GTP does regulate the production of PtdIns(4,5)P2. Our results suggest that the regulation of PtdIns 4-kinase on the ISGs differs in comparison with that on the TGN, and might be related to a specific requirement of ISG maturation.