The redistribution of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase) from a cytosolic or a loosely associated membrane compartment to a more integral membrane compartment is stimulated by Ca2+ in vitro. This event is thought to be necessary for activation of the enzyme. To determine whether such a redistribution of protein kinase C occurs following hormonally stimulated increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+, we measured [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDB) binding to protein kinase C in intact 1321N1 astrocytoma cells. The muscarinic agonist carbachol causes a 2-fold increase in [3H]PDB binding. This increase is transient, peaking at 1 min and returning toward control levels by 5 min. Scatchard analysis of [3H]PDB binding in the presence of carbachol reveals a 2-fold increase in the Bmax and no change in the KD compared to control values. This increase in Bmax likely represents a redistribution of protein kinase C to the membrane because [3H]PDB binding in intact cells is predominantly to membrane-associated enzyme. The Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, and two other Ca2+-mobilizing hormones, bradykinin and histamine, mimic the effects of carbachol. Furthermore, when hormone-sensitive Ca2+ stores are depleted by prior agonist treatment, the carbachol-induced increases in intracellular [Ca2+] and [3H]PDB binding are completely blocked. Under these conditions, phosphoinositide hydrolysis and diacylglycerol (DAG) formation are not inhibited. We also examined the time course of DAG accumulation in response to carbachol. DAG is not yet significantly elevated when the increase in [3H]PDB binding is maximal. Furthermore, [3H]PDB binding has returned to control levels when DAG concentrations are maximally elevated. These data suggest that hormone-stimulated increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ cause a marked and rapid redistribution of protein kinase C which precedes any significant increase in DAG. Our findings also demonstrate that [3H]PDB binding to intact cells may be a useful measure of the ability of Ca2+-mobilizing hormones to affect protein kinase C.