Intermolecular solvent-solute nuclear Overhauser effects have been used to explore interactions of the organic component of acetonitrile-water, acetone-water, and dimethyl sulfoxide-water mixtures with the peptide hormone [val(5)]angiotensin. As reported by the NOEs, many cross relaxation terms for interactions of these organic cosolvents are adequately accounted for using a hard spheres interaction model in which encounters of peptide and cosolvent molecules take place by mutual diffusion. However, there are indications of localized solvent-peptide interactions that are not well described by this model. In dimethyl sulfoxide-water at 0 degrees C, organic solvent near the C-terminal Phe8 residue and the Val3 residue produce strongly enhanced cross-relaxation terms. NOEs for all peptide N-H protons and the protons of the Tyr4 aromatic ring were significantly more positive than expected in 33% acetone-water (v/v) at 0 degrees C, while those for most side-chain protons were dose to predictions of the hard sphere model. All peptide organic solvent NOES in 35% acetonitrile water (v/v) at 0 degrees C are consistent with the hard spheres interaction model.