Regulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis by angiotensin II, potassium, osmolality, and dexamethasone.

We investigated the regulation of cellular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis in rabbit renomedullary interstitial cells in tissue culture. Arachidonic acid markedly stimulated PGE2 biosynthesis by these cells. Repeated exposure to arachidonic acid, resulted in progressively less stimulation of PGE2 biosynthesis. Potassium and dexamethasone diminished PGE2 biosynthesis by decreasing the rate of arachidonic acid release from the endogenous arachidonic acid storage pool. Hyperosmolality, like angiotensin II, bradykinin, and arginine vasopressin, stimulated PGE2 biosynthesis by increasing the rate of arachidonic acid release. Inhibitors of protein synthesis diminished angiotensin II-, bradykinin-, and arginine-vasopressin-stimulated PGE2 biosynthesis by decreasing hormone-stimulated arachidonic acid release. The effects of potassium, dexamethasone, arachidonic acid, and hyperosmolality on PGE2 biosynthesis were unaffected by protein synthesis inhibitors. Hormone-stimulated phospholipase activation is dependent on protein synthesis, whereas potassium, hyperosmolality, and dexamethasone alter the release of arachidonic acid from cellular lipids via a mechanism that is independent of protein synthesis.