We have shown previously that interleukin 1 (IL-1) stimulates eicosanoid production in glomerular mesangial cells (MC) by de novo synthesis of a 14-kD, group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2). IL-1-stimulated prostaglandin E2 synthesis precedes expression of this enzyme, suggesting that another PLA2 isoform must be more rapidly activated. In the presence but not absence of calcium inophore, [3H]arachidonate release is increased significantly as early as 5 min after addition of IL-1, and IL-1 concurrently stimulates a Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase activity, which was characterized as the cytosolic form of PLA2 (cPLA2). IL-1 does not alter either cPLA2 mRNA expression or mass in serum-stimulated MC, suggesting that cPLA2 activity is increased by a posttranslational modification. IL-1 treatment for 30 min doubles 32P incorporation into immunoprecipitable cPLA2 protein, concordant with the increase in enzyme activity. Immunoblot analysis of extracts derived from IL-1-treated (30 min) cells demonstrates a decreased mobility of cPLA2, and treatment of MC lysates with acid phosphatase significantly reduces cytokine-activated cPLA2 activity, further indicating that IL-1 stimulates phosphorylation of the enzyme. IL-1 treatment (24 h) of serum-deprived MC doubled cPLA2 mRNA, protein, and activity. In summary, IL-1 increases cPLA2 activity in a biphasic, time-dependent manner both by posttranslational modification and de novo synthesis. We consider cPLA2 activation a key step in IL-1-stimulated synthesis of pro-inflammatory, lipid mediators, and an integral event in the phenotypic responses induced in target cells by this cytokine.