The effect of protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway on the activity of voltage-dependent delayed rectifier potassium channel (K(V)) and the expression of K(V) isoform K(V)1.5 in rat bronchial smooth cells (BSMCs) were investigated with whole-cell patch clamp, Western-blot and RT-PCR techniques. The results showed: (1) phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, caused a significant inhibition of K(V) channel currents in rat BSMCs. The inhibition was partly abolished by Ro31-8220, a PKC inhibitor. (2) PMA caused a significant suppression of the expression of K(V)1.5 mRNA and protein in rat BSMCs. These effects were attenuated by Ro31-8220. The results suggest that in rat BSMCs PKC activation inhibits K(V) currents and down-regulates the expression of K(V)1.5.