We studied the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and a small GTP-binding protein (G-protein), rho, in receptor-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of the contractile apparatus of smooth muscle of guinea pig vas deferens. In beta-escin-permeabilized smooth muscle strips, norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of GTP caused further contraction of the preparations at a constant Ca2+ level (Ca2+ sensitization). Prazosin and GDP beta S, a nonhydrolyzable GDP analogue, inhibited NE-induced Ca2+ sensitization, indicating an alpha-1 adrenoceptor/G-protein mediated response. GTP alone (> 10 microM) and GTP gamma S, a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue, also induced Ca2+ sensitization. Pretreatment of preparations with C3 exoenzyme of Clostridium botulinum, which is known to ADP-ribosylate rho family proteins, with NAD resulted in complete inhibition of NE- and GTP (GTP gamma S)-induced Ca2+ sensitization. AIF4-, which activates heterotrimeric G-, but not small G-protein also induced Ca2+ sensitization. Interestingly, AIF4(-)-induced Ca2+ sensitization was inhibited by not only GDP beta S but also C3-treatment, suggesting that activation of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein precedes activation of rho protein. On the other hand, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, like NE, also induced Ca2+ sensitization. The sensitization was inhibited by PKC(19-31), a PKC inhibitor peptide. However, PKC(19-31) did not have any effect on NE- or AIF4(-)-induced Ca2+ sensitization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)