Using a two hybrid system screen of a human cDNA library, we have found that pll, a unique member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, interacts with the carboxyl region of the 85-kDa cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), p11 synthesized in a cell-free system interacts with cPLA(2) in vitro, The p11-cPLA(2) complex is detectable from a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS 2B), Furthermore, pll inhibits cPLA(2) activity in vitro, Selective inhibition of pll expression in the BEAS 2B cells by antisense RNA results in an increased PLA(2) activity as well as an increased release of prelabeled arachidonic acid, This study demonstrates a novel mechanism for the regulation of cPLA(2) by an S100 protein.