Phosphoinositide metabolism in airway smooth muscle

Agonist-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, which generates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol, is thought to be one of the major mechanisms underlying pharmacomechanical coupling in airway smooth muscle. This article is a review of the currently available information on phosphoinositide and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate metabolism in this tissue and includes data on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release and the receptor mediating this effect. The final section outlines the potential mechanisms underlying physiological regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism by other second-messenger pathways operative in this tissue.