A plasminogen activator (PA) system is involved in ovulation, implantation, tumor invasion and metastasis. In order to clarify the regulation of this PA system in endometrial cells, we examined which agent affecting cellular function altered tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) secretion by endometrial carcinoma cell line (KLE cells) in vitro. Triiodothyronine, retinoic acid, insulin, 8-bromo-cAMP, PDGF, IGF-I, basic FGF or TNF-alpha did not alter t-PA secretion while the activator of protein kinase C, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated t-PA secretion in a dose-dependent fashion (10(-10)-10(-8) M). The time required to give a statistically significant increase in t-PA over control was 3 hours, and the maximal increase was seen after 24 hours of exposure. Another active phorbol ester, PDD also stimulated t-PA secretion while inactive forms of phorbol ester, 4 alpha-PDD and phorbol did not alter it. Cholera toxin or 8-bromo-cAMP did not affect t-PA secretion, but enhanced PMA-stimulated t-PA secretion. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D completely abolished PMA-stimulated t-PA secretion. These results suggest that (1) t-PA secretion in the endometrial carcinoma cell is modulated by a protein kinase C system, (2) This effect is through new RNA production and protein synthesis. (3) There is a complicated relationship between protein the kinase C and protein kinase A system as to the regulation of t-PA secretion. This would be a suitable model to clarify the PA system in endometrial cells.