Matrix vesicles are extracellular organelles involved in mineral formation that are regulated by 1␣,25 (OH) 2 D 3 . Prior studies have shown that protein kinase C (PKC) activity is involved in mediating the effects of 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 in both matrix vesicles and plasma membranes. Here, we examined the regulation of matrix vesicle PKC by 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 during biogenesis and after deposition in the matrix. When growth zone costochondral chondrocytes were treated for 9 min with 1␣,25 (OH) 2 D 3 , PKC in matrix vesicles was inhibited, while PKC␣ in plasma membranes was increased. In contrast, after treatment for 12 or 24 h, PKC in matrix vesicles was increased, while PKC␣ in plasma membranes was unchanged. The effect of 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 was stereospecific and metabolite-specific. Monensin blocked the increase in matrix vesicle PKC after 24 h, suggesting the secosteroid-regulated packaging of PKC. In addition, the 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 membrane vitamin D receptor (1,25-mVDR) was involved, since a specific antibody blocked the 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 -dependent changes in PKC after both long and short treatment times. In contrast, antibodies to annexin II had no effect, and there was no evidence for the presence of the nuclear VDR on Western blots. To investigate the signaling pathways involved in regulating matrix vesicle PKC activity after biosynthesis, matrix vesicles were isolated and then treated for 9 min with 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C, phospholipase D, or G i /G s had no effect. However, inhibition of G q blocked the effect of 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 . The rapid effect of 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 also involved the 1,25-mVDR. Moreover, arachidonic acid was found to stimulate PKC when added directly to isolated matrix vesicles. These results indicate that matrix vesicle PKC is regulated by 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 at three levels: 1) during matrix vesicle biogenesis; 2) through direct action on the membrane; and 3) through production of other factors such as arachidonic acid.Costochondral growth plate chondrocytes metabolize 25 (OH)D 3 in a regulated manner, producing and secreting 1,25 (OH) 2 D 3 and 24,25(OH) 2 D 3 (1, 2). The physiological importance of this is not yet well understood. 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 exerts direct effects on matrix vesicles isolated from the extracellular matrix of growth plate chondrocytes (3), suggesting that the cells may use local production of the vitamin D metabolite as a mechanism for controlling events in the matrix. A number of observations support this hypothesis. Treatment of matrix vesicles with 1␣,25(OH) 2 D 3 causes increased alkaline phosphatase specific activity, which is associated with the onset of calcification (4). In addition, phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) 1 specific activity is increased (5), which may lead to a loss of membrane integrity and the release of proteinases capable of remodeling the matrix (6, 7). One of the matrix metalloproteinases that are present in matrix vesicles, stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), has been shown to ...