The protein C kinase activators 1-O-oleoyl, 2-O-acetylglycerol, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, and mezerein, stimulated deoxyglucose uptake in human neutrophils. The responses were stimulus specific since no effect was noted with the diether analogues 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-ethylglycerol, 1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-acetyl or 1-O-palmitoyl-3-O-acetyl diesters of propanediol, or with 1,2-diolein. Stimulation of deoxyglucose uptake had the characteristics of carrier facilitated hexose transport. Stimulated uptake of deoxy-glucose was inhibited by trifluoperazine (10-30 microM). Activation of protein kinase C therefore appears to trigger events involved in hexose transport.