When c-Src and v-Src were immunoprecipitated together from hamster fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus containing v-src oncogene, the total Src activity was almost threefold higher compared to c-Src activity in the control cells. The activity of v-Src immunoprecipitated separately, however, accounting for only 40% of the total Src activity, indicating that c-Src is activated upon transformation. An increased activity of Csk was also found in RSV-transformed cells. It decreased upon serum stimulation in parallel with an increase in Src kinase activity. In nontransformed cells, serum stimulation induced an enhanced Csk activity, but no changes in c-Src activity were observed. This may suggest that Csk may have more functions in hamster fibroblasts, in addition to its inhibitory effect on c-Src. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science.