The effect of the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), on the metabolism of exogenous leukotriene (LT)A4 in human granulocytes was investigated. After incubation with LTA4 decreased levels of LTC4 but not LTB4 were observed in granuloeyte suspensions pretreated with PMA. This finding could in part be ascribed to oxidative metabolism of LTC4, since PMA induced a rapid degradation of exogenously added LTC 4. After blocking of LTC 4 metabolism with the H202 scavenger eatalase, a PMA-provoked suppression of the conversion of LTA 4 to LTC4 was observed, indicating PKCdependent regulation of LTC4 synthase activity. This effect, as well as PMA-induced degradation of LTC 4 was prevented by specific protein kinase C inhibitors.