Previous studies from our laboratory have determined that inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells express a novel DA2-like dopamine receptor (namely, DA2K) that is linked to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In the present study, we have further characterized the dopamine-stimulated PGE2 response. Dopamine stimulated PGE2 production in cultured IMCD cells dose dependently (concentration for half-maximal stimulation, 11.1 microM; maximal stimulation, 235.1% of basal), an effect that was blocked by the DA2 antagonists domperidone and (S)-(-)-3-iodo-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-methyl] benzamine. Inhibition of intracellular calcium release with 8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (100 microM) blocked the dopamine response, whereas voltage-dependent calcium-channel blockers had no effect. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity with quinacrine (100 microM) completely blocked the dopamine-stimulated PGE2 production, whereas inhibition of polyphosphoinositol hydrolysis with neomycin (100 microM) or inhibition of protein kinase C with 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (10 microM) did not. Pertussis toxin (PT) treatment completely blocked the dopamine-stimulated PGE2 production but not the arachidonic acid-stimulated PGE2 production. These results suggest that dopamine, acting through the DA2K receptor, may be an important regulator of PGE2 production in IMCD cells. Furthermore, our results are most consistent with either a direct interaction of the DA2K receptor with PLA2 through a PT-sensitive G protein or an indirect interaction with PLA2 through mobilization of intracellular calcium.