Acetylglyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (AGEPC), commonly known as platelet activating factor, was found to strongly inhibit renin secretion in cultures rich in juxtaglomerular cells. This inhibitory action of AGEPC was accompanied by an enhanced calcium permeability of the cell membrane as evaluated from measurements of the uptake of 45Ca. Simultaneous addition of the calcium channel blocker verapamil abolished the effects of AGEPC on both renin secretion and calcium permeability. Furthermore, addition of AGEPC to the cell cultures led to a decrease of 32P-labeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and to an increase in 3H-labeled diacylglycerol, indicating an activation of phospholipase C by AGEPC.