The ability of the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, to alter 3-O-methylglucose transport was investigated using isolated rat adipocytes. A maximally effective dose of dexamethasone (10(-7) M) inhibited transport up to 80% within 60-90 min. Inhibition of transport was evident as early as 15-30 min after addition of steroid, and was prevented by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide. When added within 45 or 60 min after dexamethasone, actinomycin D interfered with the cells' ability to respond to the steroid but had no effect when added between 60 and 90 min or longer after the steroid. Cycloheximide interfered with steroid-induced inhibition of transport when added at any time before the 15- to 30-min period immediately preceding the transport assay. This interference with hormone action appeared to be independent of the length of time cells were exposed to dexamethasone before addition of cycloheximide. Thus cells that were maximally inhibited by dexamethasone by 90 min became only partially inhibited when cycloheximide was added at 90 or 120 min, and cells were incubated for an additional 60 or 30 min, respectively. These findings are consistent with the following: dexamethasone inhibits glucose oxidation as a result of inhibiting hexose transport; inhibition of transport by dexamethasone requires the synthesis of RNA during the first 45-60 min after steroid addition and requires protein synthesis during the entire incubation period with dexamethasone; and transport is inhibited within minutes after protein synthesis is initiated.