Protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and CGP 41251, a benzoylated derivative of staurosporine with selective PKC inhibitory activity, reversed the decreased rhodamine 123 uptake in HL-60/VCR (with Pgp-mediated drug resistance) but not in HL-60/ADR (MRP-mediated drug resistance) cells. CGP 41251 reversed the decreased rhodamine 123 uptake in HL-60/VCR cells more efficiently (when compared on a equimolar basis) than staurosporine. However, the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein unexpectedly modulated the decreased rhodamine 123 uptake in Pgp positive (HL-60/VCR) cells, but not in HL-60/ADR (MRP positive) cells. Cell surface phenotype of both HL-60 drug-resistant cell sublines was compared with that of the parental, drug-sensitive HL-60 cells. Both drug-resistant cell lines expressed markedly decreased levels of cell surface HLA class I antigen in comparison with the parental HL-60 cells. A similar decreased cell surface expression of HLA class II/DR on both drug-resistant, as well as of CD59 (protectin) on HL-60/ADR cells was found. Both protein kinase C inhibitors studied (staurosporine and CGP 41251) exhibited variable effects on cell surface antigen (HLA, ICAM-1, CD59) expression, suggesting complex interactions between PKC-dependent and -independent mechanisms in the regulation of surface antigen expression in these cell lines. Staurosporine differed from CGP 41251 in the cell cycle alterations induced in the HL-60 cell lines examined. Staurosporine induced the accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and the appearance of pre-G0 (apoptotic) cells in both examined drug-resistant cell lines. Staurosporine induced the appearance of cells with high DNA content in HL-60/ADR, but not in HL-60/VCR cells.