Although the mechanism of riboflavin (RF) intestinal uptake has been the subject of many studies, virtually nothing is known about the cellular regulation of the uptake process. In the present study, we investigated the role of protein kinase A (PKA)- and C (PKC)-mediated pathways in the regulation of RF intestinal uptake using the confluent Caco-2 monolayers. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), forskolin, cholera toxin, or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate caused a significant inhibition in RF uptake. The inhibitory effect of IBMX was reversible and resulted from a significant decrease in the maximal velocity of the RF uptake process with no change in its apparent Michaelis constant. The IBMX-induced inhibition in RF uptake was not mediated via inhibition in the synthesis of the RF carrier protein or through inhibition in the recruitment of preexisting carrier protein into the plasma membrane. Calyculin A also inhibited RF uptake when added alone and further potentiated the inhibitory effect of IBMX when added together. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or chelerythrine, on the other hand, showed no significant effect on RF uptake. These results demonstrate for the first time that compounds that increase intracellular cAMP levels downregulate RF intestinal uptake and that this effect is mediated via a decrease in the activity of the RF uptake carrier. It is suggested that a PKA-mediated pathway(s) plays an important role in regulating RF intestinal uptake.