The significance of phospholipase D in metabolic regulation is being recognized. The products of phospholipase D action are phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Whether these lipid products exert their effect through plasma membrane receptor-mediated mechanism is not yet clear. In the present study we have shown the presence of specific receptors for LPA in plasma membranes of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. LPA evoked a transient rise in [Ca2+]i concomitant with formation of IP3. LPA also stimulated dopamine release from PC12 cells. These results indicate that LPA stimulates catecholamine release via specific LPA receptors presumably by activating the IP3 mediated Ca2+ release.