In both RBL-1 cells and human leukocytes, the calcium ionophore A 23187 enhanced the conversion of 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-icosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) to 5,15-diHETE by $Ca^{++}$-dependent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LPO). Interestingly, the amount of 5,15-diHETE formed from the incubation of 15(S)-hydroperoxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-icosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE) with RBL-1 cells was similar to that generated from the incubation of 15-HETE with RBL-1 cells in the presence of A23187, suggesting that the 5-LPO-catalyzed conversion of 15-HPETE into 5,15-diHETE is independent of calcium ion. As a precursorial substrate for transformation to 5,15-diHETE in human leukocytes, 15-HPETE was found to be three times more efficient than 5-HPETE (5-hydroperoxy-6- trans-8,1l,14-cis-icosatetraenoic acid). When 15-HETE, a strong inhibitor of lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid at C-5 or C-12, was added to the leukocytes suspension containing arachidonic acid and A 23187, the formation of 5,15-diHETE from arachidonic acid was increased to a great extent (>3 times). Thus, the formation of 5,15-diHETE from arachidonic acid via 15-HPETE, which is $Ca^{++}$-independent and insensitive to 15-HETE, is supposed to be the more favorable pathway for the biosynthesis of 5,15-diHETE in the intact cells.