Abstract. The arachidonic acid (AA) cascade is regulated mainly by the actions of two ratelimiting enzymes, phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) and inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). PLA 2 acts to generate AA, which serves as the precursor substrate for COX-2 in the metabolic pathway leading to prostaglandin production. Amongst more than 30 members of the PLA 2 family, cytosolic PLA 2 a (cPLA 2 a, group IVA) plays a major role in releasing AA from cellular membranes. Sphingolipids are a novel class of bioactive lipids that play key roles in the regulation of several cellular processes including growth, differentiation, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. Recent studies implicated a regulatory function of sphingolipids in prostaglandin production. Whereas ceramide-1-phosphate and lactosylceramide activate cPLA 2 a directly, sphingosine-1-phosphate induces COX-2 expression. Sphingomyelin has been shown to inhibit the activity of cPLA 2 a. In addition, several sphingolipid analogs including a therapeutic agent currently used clinically are also reported to be inhibitors of cPLA 2 a. This review explores the role of sphingolipids in the regulation of cPLA 2 a and COX-2.