The function of PLA2G5 (phospholipase A2 group V, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000127472) is as follows. Secretory calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 that primarily targets extracellular phospholipids (PubMed:8300559). Hydrolyzes the ester bond of the fatty acyl group attached at sn-2 position of phospholipids (phospholipase A2 activity), preferentially releasing fatty acyl groups with a low degree of unsaturation such as oleoyl (C18:1) and linoleoyl (C18:2) groups (PubMed:14998370, PubMed:23533611, PubMed:8300559). Hydrolyzes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) phospholipids releasing unsaturated fatty acids that drive macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype (By similarity). May act in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Contributes to lipid remodeling of cellular membranes at different subcellular locations and generation of lipid mediators involved in pathogen clearance. Cleaves sn-2 fatty acyl chains of cardiolipin, a major component of the inner membrane of mitochondria and bacterial membranes (PubMed:23533611). Promotes phagocytosis of bacteria in macrophages through production of lysophosphatidylethanolamines (PubMed:25725101). Displays bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria by directly hydrolyzing phospholipids of the bacterial membrane (PubMed:11694541). Promotes phagocytosis and killing of ingested fungi likely through controlling phagosome-lysosome fusion and phagosome maturation (By similarity). Plays a role in biosynthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in myeloid cells (PubMed:12124392, PubMed:12796497). In eosinophils, triggers perinuclear arachidonate release and LTC4 synthesis in a PLA2G4A-independent way (PubMed:12796497). In neutrophils, amplifies CysLTs biosynthesis initiated by PLA2G4A (PubMed:12124392). Promotes immune complex clearance in macrophages via stimulating synthesis of CysLTs, which act through CYSLTR1 to trigger phagocytosis (By similarity). May regulate antigen processing in antigen-presenting cells (By similarity). In pulmonary macrophages regulates IL33 production required for activation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (By similarity). May play a role in the biosynthesis of N-acyl ethanolamines that regulate energy metabolism. Hydrolyzes N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamines to N-acyl lysophosphatidylethanolamines, which are further cleaved by a lysophospholipase D to release N-acyl ethanolamines (PubMed:14998370). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P97391, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11694541, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12124392, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12796497, ECO:0000269|PubMed:14998370, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23533611, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25725101, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8300559}.