Investigations into the mechanisms involved in the contraction of smooth muscle have suggested that the generation of diacylglycerol and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) may be important in the generation or maintenance of smooth muscle tone. The present study examined the possible role of PKC in the contraction of bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Methacholine (10 microM) induced a rapid elevation in PKC activity associated with the membrane fraction. PKC levels were significantly elevated in the membrane fraction 30 s after agonist addition, reached a maximum at 1 min and then declined to and remained at a lower level which was still elevated above basal. A concomitant decrease in cytosolic PKC activity of smaller magnitude was observed during this period of stimulation. This methacholine-induced re-distribution of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane was concentration-dependent and was blocked by atropine. Pre-treatment of tissues for 2 min with 100 microM isoprenaline prevented both the re-distribution of PKC and the contraction produced by 1 microM methacholine. Addition of 1 microM isoprenaline to tissues pre-contracted with 1 microM methacholine reversed the re-distribution of PKC produced during contraction and completely relaxed the tissues. Thus, under these conditions, translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane seems to be well correlated with contractions of bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Whether the PKC translocation is responsible for the observed changes in muscle tone or whether the enzyme translocation is a result of drug-induced changes in [Ca2+]i, remains to be determined.