Tumor necrosis factor-␣ (TNF-␣) is a multifunctional cytokine that interferes with insulin signaling, but the molecular mechanisms of this effect are unclear. Because certain protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are activated by insulin, we examined the role of PKC in TNF-␣ inhibition of insulin signaling in primary cultures of mouse skeletal muscle. TNF-␣, given 5 min before insulin, inhibited insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS)-1, insulin-induced association of IRS-1 with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), and insulin-induced glucose uptake. Insulin and TNF-␣ each caused tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PKCs ␦ and ␣, but when TNF-␣ preceded insulin, the effects were less than that produced by each substance alone.