The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in increased basal tone -spontaneous resistance in vascular muscle strips- was clarified in aortic smooth muscle from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. The MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor, PD098059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone), significantly inhibited basal tone in a dose-dependent manner. The basal level of ERK1/2 activation was inhibited by PD098059 and was significantly greater in hypertensive rats than in sham-operated rats. In contrast, inhibition with PD098059 was not observed in sham-operated rats. GF109203X (2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)maleimide), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), decreased both basal tone and ERK1/2 activity in the hypertensive rats. In contrast, Y27632 ((R)-(+)-trans-N-(4-Pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide) and verapamil, inhibitors of Rho kinase and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, respectively, significantly inhibited basal tone but not ERK1/2 activity. Thus, basal vascular tone is elevated by the altered activation of MAPK in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, and this is regulated by PKC, but not by Rho or intracellular Ca2+.