The pathway of myo-inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate dephosphorylation in liver

Inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate acts in vivo as a specific regulator of cellular signaling by inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate

Ca2+-activated Cl- channels are inhibited by inositol 3,4,5, 6-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(3,4,5,6)P4) (Xie, W., Kaetzel, M. A., Bruzik, K. S., Dedman, J. R., Shears, S. B., and Nelson, D. J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 14092-14097), a novel second messenger that is formed after stimulus-dependent activation of phospholipase C (PLC). In this study, we show that inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4)P3) is the specific signal that ties increased cellular levels of Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 to changes in PLC activity. We first demonstrated that Ins(1,3,4)P3 inhibited Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 1-kinase activity that was either (i) in lysates of AR4-2J pancreatoma cells or (ii) purified 22,500-fold (yield = 13%) from bovine aorta. Next, we incubated [3H]inositol-labeled AR4-2J cells with cell permeant and non-radiolabeled 2,5,6-tri-O-butyryl-myo-inositol 1,3, 4-trisphosphate-hexakis(acetoxymethyl) ester. This treatment increased cellular levels of Ins(1,3,4)P3 2.7-fold, while [3H]Ins(3, 4,5,6)P4 levels increased 2-fold; there were no changes to levels of other 3H-labeled inositol phosphates. This experiment provides the first direct evidence that levels of Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 are regulated by Ins(1,3,4)P3 in vivo, independently of Ins(1,3,4)P3 being metabolized to Ins(3,4,5,6)P4. In addition, we found that the Ins(1, 3,4)P3 metabolites, namely Ins(1,3)P2 and Ins(3,4)P2, were >100-fold weaker inhibitors of the 1-kinase compared with Ins(1,3,4)P3 itself (IC50 = 0.17 microM). This result shows that dephosphorylation of Ins(1,3,4)P3 in vivo is an efficient mechanism to "switch-off" the cellular regulation of Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 levels that comes from Ins(1,3, 4)P3-mediated inhibition of the 1-kinase. We also found that Ins(1,3, 6)P3 and Ins(1,4,6)P3 were poor inhibitors of the 1-kinase (IC50 = 17 and >30 microM, respectively). The non-physiological trisphosphates, D/L-Ins(1,2,4)P3, inhibited 1-kinase relatively potently (IC50 = 0.7 microM), thereby suggesting a new strategy for the rational design of therapeutically useful kinase inhibitors. Overall, our data provide new information to support the idea that Ins(1,3,4)P3 acts in an important signaling cascade.

The versatility of inositol phosphates as cellular signals

Cells from across the phylogenetic spectrum contain a variety of inositol phosphates. Many different functions have been ascribed to this group of compounds. However, it is remarkable how frequently several of these different inositol phosphates have been linked to various aspects of signal transduction. Therefore, this review assesses the evidence that inositol phosphates have evolved into a versatile family of second messengers.

Analysis of inositol phosphates in heart tissue using anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography

The pathways of release and metabolism of inositol phosphates in intact heart tissue are different from those observed in isolated cardiomyocytes in culture. Thus, it is essential that methods are available for the quantitation of inositol phosphates in intact tissue preparations. This manuscript describes methods which allow the quantitation of inositol phosphates in different heart preparations including isolated atria and intact perfused heart. The availability of such methods should facilitate study of the role of inositol phosphates in cardiac control mechanisms under physiological and pathological conditions.

The metabolism of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate by porcine skeletal muscle

In soluble and particulate extracts from muscle D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] are metabolised stepwise to inositol. Ins(1,4,5)P3 is rapidly dephosphorylated to D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate then to D-myo-inositol 4-phosphate and finally inositol. In soluble extracts Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is dephosphorylated to D-myo-inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate then sequentially to D-myo-inositol 3,4-bisphosphate, D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate and inositol, while in particulate extracts D-myo-inositol 1,3-bisphosphate is the predominant inositol bisphosphate formed. Dephosphorylation of these inositol polyphosphates is Mg2+ dependent and inhibited by D-2,3-bisphosphoglyceric acid. Ins(1,4,5)P3 is also phosphorylated to form Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in soluble extracts by Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase. Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase activity is Mg2+ and ATP dependent and is stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin. Particulate (sarcotubular) inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) is found in membranes which are intimately involved in excitation-contraction coupling and the generation of the primary Ca2+ signal of muscle cells. Particulate 5-phosphatase had the highest specific activity in the transverse-tubule membrane, when compared to the terminal cisternae and longitudinal-tubule membranes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Particulate Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-3-phosphatase activity was also detected after fractionation of solubilised sarcotubular membranes by DEAE-Sephacel. Particulate 5-phosphatase activity was purified 25,600-fold to a specific activity of 25.6 mumol Ins(1,4,5)P3 hydrolysed.min-1.mg protein-1, after DEAE-Sephacel and novel affinity chromatography using D-2,3-bisphosphoglycerate/agarose and Sepharose-4B-immobilised Ins(1,4,5)P3-analog matrices. Purified particulate 5-phosphatase had apparent Km of 46.3 microM and 1.9 microM and Vmax of 115 and 0.046 mumol substrate hydrolysed.min-1.mg protein-1, for Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, respectively. In contrast, purified soluble type I 5-phosphatase had apparent Km of 8.9 microM and 1.1 microM and Vmax of 3.55 and 0.13 mumol substrate hydrolysed.min-1.mg protein-1, for Ins(1,4,5P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, respectively. As in other cells, muscle 5-phosphatases have a lower affinity, but a higher capacity to metabolise Ins(1,4,5)P3 than Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Soluble type I 5-phosphatase may have a functional role in the metabolism of both inositol polyphosphates, while particulate 5-phosphatase may primarily metabolise Ins(1,4,5)P3. Purified Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase had an apparent Km of 0.42 microM and a Vmax of 4.12 nmol Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphorylated.min-1.mg protein-1. The profile of inositol polyphosphate metabolism in muscle is similar to that reported in other tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Analysis of [3H]inositol phosphate formation and metabolism in cerebral-cortical slices. Evidence for a dual metabolism of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate

Muscarinic-receptor-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex was investigated by analysis of the kinetics of [3H]inositol phosphate formation and degradation in myo-[2-3H]inositol-labelled tissue slices. Carbachol stimulated rapid (5 s) increases in the concentrations of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and [3H]Ins(1,4)P2. Stimulated accumulation of [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3, [3H]Ins(1,3)P2 and [3H]Ins(3,4)P2 and [3H]Ins(1/3)P or of [3H]Ins(4)P occurred only subsequently and with a sequence indicating formation by successive dephosphorylation of [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 or of Ins(1,4)P2 respectively. A similar sequence was inferred from the order of rapidity with which the accumulations of [3H]inositol polyphosphates, resulting from sustained (5 min) carbachol stimulation in the presence of LiCl, were reversed when muscarinic receptors were subsequently blocked with atropine. During this latter period of receptor blockade, radiolabel lost from [3H]inositol polyphosphates was quantitively recovered as [3H]inositol monophosphates owing to effective inhibition of monophosphatase by Li+, and the rate of poly- into mono-phosphate conversion was similar to agonist-stimulated rates of monophosphate accumulation. This implies that, even during persistent stimulation, polyphosphoinositide, not PtdIns, is the substrate for phosphoinositidase C. Quantitative comparison of the degradation of [3H]inositol poly- to mono-phosphates after receptor blockade unexpectedly suggests the dual hydrolysis of [3H]Ins(1,4)P2 to [3H]Ins(1)P and [3H]Ins(4)P. This result advises cautious interpretation of the origin of [3H]Ins(1)P in stimulated tissue, but, with other data presented, allows calculation from the observed ratio of [3H]Ins(1/3)P:[3H]Ins(4)P that a minimum of approx. 50% of the [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 produced during persistent muscarinic-receptor stimulation is metabolized by Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase.

Evidence for phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in pancreatic islets stimulated with carbamoylcholine. Kinetic analysis of inositol polyphosphate metabolism

Anion-exchange h.p.l.c. was used initially to analyse the products formed after addition of either [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 or [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 to homogenates of pancreatic islets. Metabolic routes similar to those of other tissues were established: dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to Ins(1,4)P2 and then Ins4P; and sequential degradation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 to Ins(1,3,4)P3, Ins(3,4)P2 and Ins(3 or 1)P. In addition, there was a limited conversion of Ins(1,3,4)P3 into Ins(1,3)P2. After stimulation of [3H]inositol-prelabelled islets with the muscarinic-receptor agonist carbamoylcholine (carbachol), there was a rapid (10 s) increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,3,4)P3, Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins4P. In the presence of 10 mM-LiCl, Ins1P was also significantly increased (P less than 0.05) by 5 s, before any increase in Ins4P (10 s), Ins(1,3)P2 (60 s) or Ins(3,4)P2. When carbachol was displaced with atropine, after 1 h pre-stimulation, the maximal decreases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins1P from the stimulated steady state (5 s) clearly preceded those of the other metabolites. These declines were used to calculate the turnover times and rate of metabolic flux through the various inositol phosphates. These experiments confirmed the relatively minor importance of the Ins(1,3)P2 pathway (less than 10% of the total flux) and demonstrated that Ins(1,4,5)P3 removal was evenly distributed through the Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 routes. They also established that flux through Ins1P was 8-fold greater than that through Ins(1,4,5)P3, indicating that the former could not have been derived from PtdInsP2 hydrolysis. Similarly, in islets pretreated with neomycin, which binds to PtdInsP2 with greater affinity than to PtdIns, the increase in Ins1P caused by 1 min stimulation with carbachol was not affected, despite virtual abolition of the increase in Ins4P, and an overall inhibition of PtdInsP2 hydrolysis by 67%. The results indicate that, in addition to PtdInsP2 breakdown, carbachol also promotes a rapid PtdIns hydrolysis which becomes increasingly predominant with prolonged stimulation.

Metabolism of inositol phosphates in ATP-stimulated vascular endothelial cells

The accumulation of InsP1, InsP2, InsP3 and InsP4 isomers was investigated in bovine aortic endothelial cells labelled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with ATP. The separation of these isomers was performed by ion-pairing reverse-phase h.p.l.c. on a mu Bondapack C18 column for the InsP3 and InsP4 isomers and by ion-exchange h.p.l.c. on a Partisil SAX column for the InsP1 and InsP2 isomers. In unstimulated endothelial cells, a large amount of material was co-eluted with InsP5 and InsP6, whereas amounts of InsP3 and InsP4 were small. The addition of ATP (100 microM) induced a striking (35-fold stimulation) and transient increase of Ins(1,4,5)P3 that was maximal around 15 s. This peak was followed by a more sustained accumulation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,3,4)P3, but the amounts of these two metabolites accumulated in response to ATP were much smaller than that of Ins(1,4,5)P3. The increase in InsP2 isomers in response to ATP had similar characteristics: a rapid and transient accumulation of Ins(1,4)P2, followed by an increase of Ins(3,4)P2 and Ins(1,3)P2, which was more sustained but had a smaller magnitude. ATP also induced the accumulation of both Ins1P and Ins4P, but with different time courses: the level of Ins4P was maximal at 1 min (60 times the control value) and returned to baseline after 5 min, whereas the increase in Ins1P was undetectable at 1 min and reached a maximum after 5 min, which represented 240% of the basal level. These data indicate that Ins(1,4,5)P3, which is rapidly formed in aortic endothelial cells as a result of activation of P2Y receptors, is preferentially metabolized at early times (less than 1 min) by a 5-phosphatase, with the sequential formation of Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins4P. Afterwards, a small but sustained increase in the content of Ins(1,3,4)P3, Ins(1,3)P2, Ins(3,4)P2 and Ins1P was observed, reflecting the activation of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase.

The effects of inositol trisphosphates and inositol tetrakisphosphate on Ca2+ release and Cl- current pattern in the Xenopus laevis oocyte

We report that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 releases calcium from intracellular stores of intact Xenopus laevis oocytes, as indicated by two different techniques, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes and a fura-2 imaging system. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 releases only 20% as much Ca2+ as the same amount of Ins(1,4,5)P3. This effect is not due to the conversion of the injected Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 to Ins(1,4,5)P3, which is known to release Ca2+, because the amount of [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 that is converted to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is extremely small, as determined using HPLC. Examination of the different current patterns induced by Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, when injected into voltage-clamped oocytes, provided further evidence that the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was not being converted back to Ins(1,4,5)P3. We investigated the effects of four compounds, three inositol trisphosphates (Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(2,4,5)P3, and Ins(1,3,4)P3), and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, on Cl- current conductance in order to examine (1) the possible role of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in cell activation and (2) the relationships between intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of Cl- currents. Immature stage VI Xenopus laevis oocytes were voltage-clamped and injected with Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(2,4,5)P3, and Ins(1,3,4)P3. Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3 triggered Ca2(+)-dependent Cl- currents, but Ins(1,3,4)P3 did not trigger currents nor did it release intracellular Ca2+. Ins(2,4,5)P3 was fourfold less effective at inducing the immediate Cl- current pulse than Ins(1,4,5)P3. The Cl- current pattern was quite dependent on the amount of Ins(1,4,5)P3 injected into the oocyte. Low amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P3 triggered only an immediate single Cl- current pulse, whereas large amounts triggered the immediate single pulse, followed by a quiescent period, followed by oscillating Cl- currents. In contrast to the response of Ins(1,4,5)P3, injection of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 triggered only oscillating Cl- currents whose magnitude, but not pattern, was dependent on the amount injected into the cell. The currents generated by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 resemble the oscillating Cl- currents triggered by large amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, unlike Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3, rarely caused an immediate Cl- current pulse, but caused an immediate release of calcium. Therefore, we suggest that the oscillating currents are only indirectly dependent on calcium. These [Ca2+]i and conductance measurements suggest that both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 have roles in intracellular Ca2+ regulation.

Regulation of the metabolism of 1,2-diacylglycerols and inositol phosphates that respond to receptor activation

This review assimilates information on the regulation of the metabolism of those inositol phosphates and diacylglycerols that respond to receptor activation. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of specific enzymes, the occurrence of isoenzymes, and metabolic compartmentalization; the overall aim is to demonstrate the significance of these activities in relation to the physiological impact of the various cell signalling processes.

Ca2(+)-stimulatable and protein kinase C-inhibitable accumulation of inositol 1,3,4,6-tetrakisphosphate in human platelets

Thrombin-stimulated (10 s) human platelets produce Ins(1,4,5)P3 and an additional inositol trisphosphate (InsP3), in approximately a 1:20 ratio. The major InsP3 co-migrates with Ins(1,3,4)P3 on strong-anion-exchange h.p.l.c. To identify this species unequivocally, we treated putative Ins(1,3,4)P3 obtained from thrombin-stimulated myo-[3H]inositol-labelled platelets with NaIO4/NaBH4 or 4-phosphomonoesterase. The products indicate that the major InsP3 is at least 90% D-Ins(1,3,4)P3. D-[3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 added to saponin-permeabilized platelets is hydrolysed to an InsP2 (7.8%) and phosphorylated by a kinase to yield an inositol polyphosphate (0.9%) in 5 min. The phosphorylation product co-migrates with Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 on Partisphere WAX h.p.l.c. Under similar conditions, L-[3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 is dephosphorylated but not phosphorylated. Relative phosphatase:kinase ratios are 8.7:1 (Vmax. values) and 0.86:1 (Km values) with respect to D-Ins(1,3,4)P3. The kinase activity is predominantly cytosolic (96.8% of total activity) in freeze-thaw-disrupted platelets, and the accumulation of its product is Ca2(+)-dependent. The activity is identified as a 6-kinase on the basis of its product's insensitivity to 5-phosphomonoesterase, resistance to periodate oxidation and co-migration with standard Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 on h.p.l.c. Incubation of platelets with beta-phorbol dibutyrate (beta-PDBu, 76 nM), causing activation of protein kinase C, results in a 57.5% inhibition (reversible by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine) of Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 accumulation. alpha-PDBu, which does not stimulate protein kinase C, has no effect. Stimulation of intact platelets with thrombin results in the production of Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 (1.4-fold rise in 30 s) and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, with the latter being the major InsP4 species. Accumulation of Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 is slightly delayed in comparison with Ins(1,3,4)P3 and is relatively small. We propose that the major route of Ins(1,3,4)P3 metabolism in stimulated human platelets is via phosphatase action.

Formation of [3H]inositol metabolites in rat hippocampal formation slices prelabelled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with carbachol

Rat hippocampal formation slices were prelabelled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with carbachol for times between 7 s and 3 min. The [3H]inositol metabolites in an acid extract of the slices were resolved with anion-exchange HPLC. Carbachol dramatically increased the concentration of [3H]inositol monophosphate, [3H]inositol bisphosphate (two isomers), [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The levels of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate rose most rapidly; they were maximally elevated after only 7 s and declined toward control levels in 1 min followed by a more sustained elevation in levels for up to 3 min. When [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was incubated with hippocampal formation homogenates in an ATP-containing buffer it was very rapidly metabolised. After 5 min [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, and [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate could be detected in the homogenates. Under similar experimental conditions [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is metabolised to [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and an inositol bisphosphate isomer that is not [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate. We conclude that like other tissues the primary event in the hippocampus following carbachol stimulation is the activation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate selective phospholipase C.

Accumulation of inositol polyphosphate isomers in agonist-stimulated cerebral-cortex slices. Comparison with metabolic profiles in cell-free preparations

1. Basal and carbachol-stimulated accumulations of isomeric [3H]inositol mono-, bis-, tris- and tetrakis-phosphates were examined in rat cerebral-cortex slices labelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. 2. In control samples the major [3H]inositol phosphates detected were co-eluted on h.p.l.c. with Ins(1)P, Ins(4)P (inositol 1- and 4-monophosphate respectively), Ins(1,4)P2 (inositol 1,4-bisphosphate), Ins(1,4,5)P3 (inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate) and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 (inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate). 3. After stimulation to steady state with carbachol, accumulation of each of these products was markedly increased. 4. Agonist stimulation, however, also evoked much more dramatic increased accumulations of a second [3H]inositol trisphosphate, which was co-eluted on h.p.l.c. with authentic Ins(1,3,4)P3 (inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate) and of three further [3H]inositol bisphosphates ([3H]InsP2(s]. 5. Examination of the latter by chemical degradation by periodate oxidation and/or h.p.l.c. allowed identification of these as [3H]Ins(1,3)P2, [3H]Ins(3,4)P2 and [3H]Ins(4,5)P2 (inositol 1,3-, 3,4- and 4,5-bisphosphates respectively), which respectively accounted for about 22%, 8% and 3% of total [3H]InsP2 in extracts from stimulated tissue slices. 6. By using a h.p.l.c. method which clearly resolves Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 (inositol 1,3,4,6-tetrakisphosphate), only the former isomer could be detected in extracts from either control or stimulated tissue slices. Similarly, [3H]inositol pentakis- and hexakis-phosphates were not detectable either in the presence or absence of carbachol under the radiolabelling conditions described. 7. The catabolism of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 and [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 by cell-free preparations from cerebral cortex was also studied. 8. In the presence of Mg2+, [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was specifically dephosphorylated via [3H]Ins(1,4)P2 and [3H]Ins(4)P to free [3H]inositol, whereas [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 was degraded via [3H]Ins(3,4)P2 and, to a lesser extent, via [3H]Ins(1,3)P2 to D- and/or L-[3H]Ins(1)P and [3H]inositol. 9. In the presence of EDTA, hydrolysis of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was greater than or equal to 95% inhibited, whereas [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 was still degraded, but yielded only a single [3H]InsP2 identified as [3H]Ins(1,3)P2. 10. The significance of these observations with cell-free preparations is discussed in relation to the proportions of the separate isomeric [3H]inositol phosphates measured in stimulated tissue slices.

1D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate dephosphorylation by rat enterocytes involves an intracellular 5-phosphatase and non-specific phosphatase activity at the cell surface

We studied the dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) by permeabilized rat intestinal epithelial cells incubated in a medium resembling intracellular ionic strength and pH. Saponin-permeabilized cells rapidly dephosphorylated Ins(1,4,5)P3 to a mixture of three InsP2 (inositol bisphosphate) isomers, namely Ins(1,4)P2, Ins(1,5)P2 and Ins(4,5)P2. These products were identified by h.p.l.c. analysis after dephosphorylation of both 3H- and 32P-labelled Ins(1,4,5)P3. Ins(1,4)P2 accumulated to about half of the concentration attained by Ins(1,5)P2 and Ins(4,5)P2. Ins(1,4,5)P3 dephosphorylation was inhibited, by up to 75%, by 10 mM-glucose 6-phosphate. In these conditions Ins(1,4)P2 became the predominant product, indicating that glucose 6-phosphate inhibited non-specific dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, at least at the 1- and 4-phosphate groups. Ins(1,4)P2 was further dephosphorylated, and the major InsP (inositol monophosphate) product was Ins4P. Most of the glucose 6-phosphate-inhibitable Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphatase activity was exposed on the cell surface. The glucose 6-phosphate-insensitive Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity was not detected until the cells were permeabilized with saponin. This intracellular 5-phosphatase activity was: (i) predominantly associated with the particulate portion of the cell; (ii) strongly inhibited by 10 mM-2,3-bisphosphoglycerate; (iii) insensitive to 50 mM-Li+. Therefore the Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity in enterocytes appears similar to the 5-phosphatase that has been characterized in a number of cell types.