Prolactin (PRL) is a mitogen for a number of cell types and its action as a survival factor has recently been demonstrated in Nb2 lymphoma cells. However, the intracellular signalling pathways by which PRL promotes the survival of Nb2 cells is unknown. In previous studies, we have shown that PRL caused the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and its association with tyrosine phosphorylated fyn. Protein kinase B (PKB), a serine/threonine kinase, is now known to be a downstream component of the PI3-kinase pathway. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of PRL on the activation of PKB and to find out whether this has any role on the PRL-induced survival of Nb2 cells. Our studies have revealed the phosphorylation and activation of PKB in PRL-stimulated Nb2 cells. We have also observed, using confocal microscopy, translocation of PKB to the membrane of Nb2 cells in response to PRL. These effects were blocked by the PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002 (10 microgram/ml). Apoptosis was induced by the general protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine (STS; 0.1-1 microM), the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex; 100 nM) or ionising radiation by exposing Nb2 cells to X-irradiation (IR; 10 Gy). PRL had no effect on STS-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, PRL (100 ng/ml) inhibited apoptosis induced by Dex or IR; this effect of PRL was reversed by the addition of LY294002 (10 microgram/ml). Furthermore, Western blot analysis using phosphospecific PKB antibody on lysates from PRL-treated Nb2 cells showed that phosphorylation of PKB in response to PRL was inhibited by STS (0.5 microM), but not by Dex (100 nM). These results suggest that the PI3-kinase/PKB pathway may mediate the anti-apoptotic effect of PRL in Nb2 cells.