In Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts bradykinin stimulated inositol phosphate (InsP) formation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. The EC50 values for stimulation of PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation by bradykinin were similar, 200 pM and 275 pM, respectively. Guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate stimulated PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation, and guanosine-5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate inhibited both PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation stimulated by bradykinin. Neither bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis nor InsP formation was sensitive to pertussis toxin. Phorbol ester, dexamethasone, and cycloheximide distinguished between bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis and InsP formation. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate enhanced bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but inhibited bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. Pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone for 24 hr inhibited bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but was without effect on bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. Cycloheximide inhibited bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis but was without effect on bradykinin-stimulated InsP formation. When bradykinin was added to cells prelabeled with [3H]choline, the phospholipase A2 products lysophosphatidylcholine and glycerophosphocholine were generated. In cells pretreated with dexamethasone, lysophosphatidylcholine and glycerophosphocholine formation induced by bradykinin were inhibited. Treatment of cells with phorbol ester enhanced bradykinin-induced formation of these metabolites. The data suggest that bradykinin receptors are coupled by GTP-binding proteins to both phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 and that phospholipase A2 is the enzyme that catalyzes release of arachidonate for prostaglandin synthesis.