1. Diacylglycerols (DAGs) are common intracellular second messengers produced as a result of activation of phospholipase C. We have examined the direct effects of DAG on currents from cloned voltage-dependent potassium channels. Potassium channels were studied by overexpression of their cRNAs in Xenopus oocytes or of their cDNAs in HEK 293 cells, and macroscopic currents were recorded from inside-out membrane patches. 2. When applied to the intracellular side of the patch, 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (C8:0) (DOG) blocks Shaker IR, Kv1.3, and Kv1.6 channels. This block appears macroscopically as a large speeding of the inactivation rate. Longer carbon chain length DAGs (10 and 12 carbons) are less effective in producing this response. 3. DOG is effective at low concentrations, doubling the apparent inactivation rate at 162 nM, and has a fast time course, with a wash-in and reversal to control each within approximately 30 s. 4. Voltage steps delivered with a two pulse protocol in the presence of DOG indicate that recovery from DOG block is voltage dependent. Recovery occurs quickly (tau = 507 ms) when channels are closed quickly by hyperpolarized (-90 mV) potentials, and occurs slowly (tau = 1.3 s) when channels are closed incompletely by depolarized (-60 mV) potentials. 5. The action of DOG is independent of protein kinase C (PKC) activation, because it does not require ATP, nor is it blocked by staurosporin or by the PKC inhibitor peptide 19-36.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)