To determine the effect of dietary fat and calorie level on protein kinase C(PKC) activity in mouse epidermal cells, female BALB/C mice (4weeks of age) were placed on high (24.6% ), moderate(5%) fat or calorie-restricted diets for at least 4 weeks. Diets were formulated on a nutrient/kcal basis such that the mice consumed the same amounts of protein. vitamins, minerals and fiber per kcal. PKC was assayed by the procedure of Wise et at. An apparent increase of PKC activity was observed from the aminal fed high fat diet when compared with the aminal fed moderate fat diet. PKC activity was decreased 40% by calorie restriction. In summary levels of dietary fat may contribute to mechanism of tumor promotion by increasing PKC activity in the mouse skin model.