Release of intracellularly stored Ca2+ by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate--an overview

1. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (I(1,4,5)P3) releases Ca2+ from ATP-dependent Ca2+ stores in permeabilized cells and in microsomal fractions. 2. Various factors affect the amount of Ca2+ released by I(1,4,5)P3. 3. The molecular mechanism involved in the I(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release is now being investigated and I(1,4,5)P3-specific receptors and/or specific release channels are being given special attention. 4. While the I(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ stores are presumed to locate at the endoplasmic reticulum, the relation between the I(1,4,5)P3- and the agonist-sensitive Ca2+ stores remains to be elucidated.