Receptors coupled to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Gi proteins regulate T lymphocyte cytokine secretion, proliferation, and chemotaxis, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Gi protein signaling in mammalian lymphocytes. Using the Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line, we found that a stably expressed Gi protein-coupled receptor (the delta-opioid receptor (DOR1)) stimulates MEK-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1 and ERK2) and transcriptional activity by an ERK target, Elk-1, via a mechanism requiring a PTX-sensitive Gi protein. Levels of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase-1 C-terminal fragment that inhibited signaling by Gi protein beta gamma subunits in these cells had no effect on DOR1 stimulation of either MEK-1- or Elk-1-dependent transcription, indicating that this pathway is independent of beta gamma. Analysis of this betagamma-independent pathway indicates a role for a herbimycin A-sensitive tyrosine kinase. Unlike beta gamma-mediated pathways, the beta gamma-independent pathway was insensitive to RasN17, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and constitutive PI 3-kinase activity. The beta gamma-independent pathway regulates downstream events, since blocking it abrogated both Elk-1-dependent transcription and mobilization of the mitogenic transcription factor, AP-1, in response to DOR1 signaling. These results characterize a novel, Ras- and PI 3kinase-independent pathway for ERK activation by Gi protein signaling that is distinct from ERK activation by beta gamma and may therefore be mediated by the alphai subunit.