Prostaglandin E-2 production stimulated by various agents (arachidonic acid, prostaglandin F-2 alpha, ionomycin, the calcium ionophore A23187, and melittin) was investigated after pretreatment of murine osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells with the putative phospholipase C blocker, U73122. The aminosteroid dose dependently inhibited prostaglandin E-2 production induced by all agonists, except arachidonic acid. The results suggest an inhibitory role of U73122 on phospholipase A(2) activity or activation BIOCHEM PHARMACOL 60;7:899-904, 2000. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.