Size of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive calcium pool in guinea-pig hepatocytes

Permeabilized hepatocytes accumulated 45Ca2+ into a non-mitochondrial pool when provided with ATP. 45Ca2+ efflux from this pool was revealed by removal of ATP with glucose and hexokinase or by inhibiting uptake with NaVO3. The effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) on 45Ca2+ efflux from the pool was investigated. IP3 (5 microM) evoked a rapid increase in the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux. Kinetic analysis of the effect of IP3 indicated the existence of two distinct Ca2+ fractions within the pool; only one, accounting for about one-third of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ content of the pool, was responsive to IP3. The effect of IP3 on 45Ca2+ efflux from the non-mitochondrial pool does not require ATP, a finding that is inconsistent with a previous suggestion that this effect may be mediated by protein phosphorylation.