An increase of cAMP/cGMP concentration ratio is the earliest stimulus-coupled biochemical change that has been measured in the adrenal medulla during the trans-synaptic induction of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase [EC 1.14.16.2; L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating)]. In adrenal medulla of rats receiving reserpine alone (16 mumol/kg intraperitoneally) or reserpine and propranolol (40 mumol/kg intraperitoneally 30 min before reserpine), or exposed to 4 degrees for 4 hr, the extent and duration of the increase of the cAMP/cGMP concentration ratio exceeds the critical value that is required to activate the protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37; ATP:protein phosphotransferase). Gel filtration experiments indicate that during this activation, the catalytic subunit of the protein kinase (low-molecular-weight enzyme) is released from the holoenzyme. The activation of protein kinase lasts longer than the increase in the cAMP/cGMP concentration ratio and appears to be an obligatory early event that mediates the increase of tyrosine monooxygenase synthesis. The trans-synaptic induction of the monooxygenase in adrenal medulla appears to be due to an increased synthesis of the enzyme;the rate for monooxygenase degradation is proportional to the number of enzyme molecules that are present at various stages of the induction process.