Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is the major renal cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid. Urinary excretion of PGE2 is increased by dietary salt restriction, as well in cirrhosis and congestive heart failure. To determine whether urinary PGE2 affects transport along the nephron, the actions of luminal PGE2 were studied in the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD). Luminal PGE2 transiently hyperpolarized transepithelial voltage (Vt) in a dose-dependent manner (half-maximal effect approximately 10(-8) M) in contrast to a sustained depolarization of Vt produced by basolateral PGE2. Luminal PGE2 (0.1 microM) also significantly stimulated osmotic water permeability in the CCD. In CCDs cultured on semipermeable supports, apical PGE2 stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production, suggesting the effects of luminal PGE2 are mediated by adenylyl cyclase-stimulating EP2 or EP4 receptors. Sulprostone, a PGE2 analogue selective for EP1 and EP3 receptors, affected Vt only when applied from the basolateral but not the luminal surface. Luminal application of the EP2 receptor agonist butaprost was also without effect. These results suggest that luminal PGE2 affects Vt via a butaprost-insensitive EP4 receptor. The Vt effect of luminal PGE2 was not blocked by pertussis toxin, also arguing against an EP3-mediated Gi-coupled effect. Finally, 1 microM luminal PGE2 only slightly increased CCD intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), in contrast to the marked increase in [Ca2+]i produced by basolateral PGE2 (0.1 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)