Kaempferol (KF), which is a natural dietary flavonoid, has potential beneficial effects as a chemopreventive agent for critical health conditions, such as cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of KF remain unknown. We report on the inhibition of neoplastic cell transformation by KF through the suppression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced neoplastic transformation of mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells was inhibited by 40 microM KF. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB induced by EGF was also attenuated by KF. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B) was completely suppressed by KF, although extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase were unaffected by KF. Kinase assay data revealed that KF bound directly to PI3K, which is upstream of Akt, and suppressed its activity. Furthermore, KF inhibited ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced PI3K activity and attenuated UVB-induced phosphorylation of Akt. Our results suggest that KF docks at the adenosine triphosphate-binding site of PI3K, which is located between the N-lobe and C-lobe of the kinase domain. Inhibition by KF of PI3K, which is an important factor in carcinogenesis, and its downstream effects may explain the chemopreventive action of KF.