Angiotensin II stimulates prostaglandin (PG) E2 formation in mesangial cells cultured from rat renal glomeruli. The interactions between angiotensin II and PGE2 are important in modulating glomerular function. We examined the mechanism for stimulation of PGE2 production in mesangial cells using the putative diacylglycerol-lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 and trifluoperazine (TFP), an agent interfering with Ca2+-CaM-mediated processes. Although RHC 80267 inhibited diacylglycerol-lipase activity in mesangial cells, it did not influence PGE2 production in response to either angiotensin II or A23187. In contrast, TFP (50 microM) inhibited basal PGE2 production and stimulation by angiotensin II and A23187. TFP also decreased 14C release in response to angiotensin from cells prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid, which was associated with inhibition of 14C loss from phosphatidylinositol. In cells prelabeled with 32P, orthophosphate angiotensin II caused a rapid hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphospate. TFP enhanced 32P labeling of phosphatidylinositides, but did not prevent the loss of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in response to angiotensin. This was verified in cells prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol where angiotensin stimulated formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate. TFP enhanced formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate both under basal- and angiotensin II-stimulated conditions. Thus TFP did not inhibit phospholipase C activation by angiotensin. Angiotensin II caused marked increases in [32P]lysophospholipids, indicating activation of also phospholipase A2. This process was inhibited by TFP. Taken together, these results are consistent with stimulation of both phospholipase C and A2 by angiotensin, the latter step responsible for the release of arachidonic acid and PGE2 formation. The activation of phospholipase A2, but not that of phospholipase C, is inhibited by TFP, perhaps by interference with calmodulin-dependent steps.