H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor, fully inhibited the spontaneous and stimulated (KCl 20 mM or histamine 0.5 mM) tone of trachea from normal and sensitized guinea pig. 2. H-7 depressed the concentration-contraction curves to KCl, histamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine in epithelium-denuded, indomethacin-treated, trachea from normal and sensitized guinea pigs while responses to CaCl2 (in Ca2+ -free, K+ -depolarized tissues) and acetylcholine were not affected. 3. H-7 (100 microM did not depress Ca2+ (20 microM-induced contraction of Triton X-100 skinned trachea. 4. These results suggest the involvement of PKC in the maintenance of spontaneous tone and spasmogenic responses of guinea pig trachea.