Neuronal apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, which was confirmed by TUNEL (terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling) staining and detection of chromatin condensation, appeared within 8 h after nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. Prostaglandin (PG) E₁ (10⁻⁷‐10⁻⁶M) reduced the incidence of apoptotic cell death in PC12 cells. The genes encoding PG transporter specific to prostaglandins such as PGE₂ or PGF_2α were expressed in the cell lines as shown by RT‐PCR. Bromcresol green, an inhibitor of PG transporter, reversed the antiapoptotic effect of PGE₁. Moreover, treatment of PC12 cells with an antisense oligonucleotide corresponding to PG transporter cDNA also blocked the inhibitory effects of PGE₁ on apoptotic cell death. In addition, PGE₁ counteracted the increased activities of stress‐activated protein kinase/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase within 1–2 h after NGF deprivation in PC12 cells. These results indicated that the antiapoptotic effect of PGE₁ in NGF‐deprived PC12 cells was achieved by inhibitory signals following uptake into neurons through the PG transporter.