Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells using either the tumor promoter phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) or diacylglycerols increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) by 3.8-fold. PDB stimulation of p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was detected within 1 min and reached a maximum within 5 min, considerably slower than PDB stimulation of 80K/MARCKS phosphorylation which was maximal within 1 min. In sharp contrast, bombesin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK reached a maximum (8-fold stimulation) within 1 min after addition of the peptide and occurred with a half-maximal effect of 0.08 nM, 6-fold lower than the half-maximal effect of bombesin on 80K/MARCKS phosphorylation. Down-regulation of PKC by prolonged treatment with PDB blocked the effect of PDB on p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation but had no effect on the response to bombesin. A selective inhibitor of PKC, GF 109203X, markedly inhibited the stimulation of p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation by PDB but had little effect on the response to bombesin, vasopressin, and endothelin. Bombesin stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation could also be dissociated from mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ pool by treatment with the tumor promoter thapsigargin completely blocked the ability of bombesin to transiently increase the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration but had no effect on bombesin stimulation of p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, cytochalasin D, an agent which selectively disrupts the network of actin microfilaments, completely inhibited bombesin- and PDB-induced p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Within the same concentration range (0.3-2 microM), the drug had no effect on other early events stimulated by bombesin, including Ca2+ mobilization and activation of PKC. These findings demonstrate that neither the PKC nor Ca2+ pathways are responsible for the rapid stimulation of p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation by neuropeptide growth factors. Furthermore, the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for the effects of both PDB and bombesin.