We examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) for the generation of arginine-vasopressin (AVP)-linked Ca2+ oscillations in beta-cells (HIT-T15). Activation of PKC by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) reduced the frequency and finally abolished AVP-induced Ca2+ oscillations. The PKC inhibitors Gö 6976, Ro-32-0432, or chelerythrine converted Ca2+ oscillations to a plateau-like rise in cytosolic free Ca2+, and PKC down-regulation reduced the percentage of cells exhibiting AVP-induced Ca2+ oscillations. Several mechanisms were identified by which PKC could exert feedback on the AVP-linked Ca2+ oscillator. PDBu, but not the PKC inhibitors, inhibited AVP-stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and mobilization of internal Ca2+. Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels was attenuated by PDBu and PKC inhibitors, indicating complex PKC-dependent regulation of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels involving stimulatory as well as inhibitory components. Furthermore, AVP caused oscillatory translocation of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged PKCalpha and PKCbetaIota to the plasma membrane, which paralleled the Ca2+ oscillations in single cells. Repetitive translocation of YFP-PKCalpha and -PKCbetaIota could also be elicited by repetitive release of caged Ca2+. By contrast, AVP-stimulated translocation of YFP-PKCepsilon was monophasic, not synchronized with Ca2+ oscillations, and could not be mimicked by release of caged Ca2+. In conclusion, undisturbed activation of PKCs is a necessary intermediate to generate or maintain AVP-induced Ca2+ oscillations in pancreatic beta-cells. The data further suggest that classical PKCs, predominantly by inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production, provide the negative feedback required for AVP-induced Ca2+ oscillations to occur that is mediated by their repetitive activation by oscillating Ca2+ concentrations.