The extracellular form of 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 has been found to accumulate at various types of inflammatory sites. In the present paper, we have studied the possible role of the extracellular 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 in the process of prostaglandin production in activated rat mast cells. When mast cells obtained from the peritoneal cavity of rats were sensitized with IgE, challenged with antigen and then exposed to extracellular 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2, appreciable release of prostaglandin D2 was observed. Generation of prostaglandin D2 was dependent on the concentration of the phospholipase A2 as well as that of the antigen, while no appreciable prostaglandin D2 generation was observed with cells in the absence of the antigen. No histamine release was observed under the same conditions. Phosphatidylcholine in mast cell membranes was appreciably hydrolyzed to liberate free arachidonic acid when mast cells were incubated with 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 added exogenously in the presence of the antigen. Both the generation of prostaglandin D2 and the release of arachidonic acid were retarded by inhibitors specific to 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2. Thus, 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 may function in the process of inflammation by acting on IgE-antigen-primed mast cells, which are not fully activated, to generate eicosanoids.