[The calcium-mobilizing effect of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate in rod outer segments and disks]

The effect of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) on the release of calcium ions from retinal rod discs was studied. It was shown that the release of Ca2+ from discs is an electroneutral process. The intradiscal calcium concentration during the release of the ion from the organelle decreases by 1 mM. It was found that the IP3-dependent release of Ca2+ ions from discs is activated by guanosine triphosphate and beta gamma-transducin. The increase in calcium concentration in the medium also activates the IP3-dependent release of Ca2+ ions from discs, which probably is due to the stimulation of phospholipase C. It is suggested that the functional role of the release of ions in related not to phototransduction but to slow regulatory and adaptation processes in the photoreceptor cell.