Activation of primary T-lymphocytes (T-cells) is dependent on interactions with the T3/T-cell antigen receptor complex which results in expression of cell surface receptors for the lymphocytotrophic growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2). In the present communication we have compared the cellular responses to phorbol ester with IL-2-induced cellular responses. Thus, the effect of respective ligand on T-cell growth, the level of expression and composition of two distinct affinity classes of IL-2 receptors, and phosphorylation of an 80,000 mol. wt cellular substrate for the Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PK-C) was analysed. The results demonstrate that only the high affinity IL-2 receptor class is induced by phorbol esters and that both IL-2 and cell surface expression of its high affinity receptor is required for induction of low affinity IL-2 receptors. Moreover, IL-2 receptor signalling seems not to involve activation of PK-C and the results suggest that another intracellular pathway, distinct from the PK-C pathway which induces high affinity IL-2 receptors, is employed in the transmission of IL-2 growth promoting signals.