Effects of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate and thrombin on the phosphoinositide metabolism of electropermeabilized human platelets

Inositol phosphate metabolism and platelet activation

Platelet activation by thrombin and most other agonists appears to require two second messenger systems that are both initiated by phospholipase C-catalysed cleavage of phosphatidylinositol phosphates leading to: 1. formation of inositol phosphates with a subsequent rise in intracellular calcium from intracellular stores and from outside the cell; 2. formation of diacylglycerol with subsequent activation of protein kinase C. This review examines inositol phosphate metabolism in platelets and its involvement in calcium metabolism.

Protein kinase C-dependent and Ca2+-dependent mechanisms of secretion from streptolysin O-permeabilized platelets: effects of leakage of cytosolic proteins

Human platelets containing dense granules labelled with 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine ([14C]5-HT) were permeabilized by exposure to streptolysin O (SLO) in the presence of 4 mM [gamma-32P]ATP. Addition of either 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or of Ca2+ (pCa 5) at the same time as SLO induced secretion of dense-granule [14C]5-HT and the phosphorylation of pleckstrin by protein kinase C (PKC). Ca2+ also induced phosphorylation of myosin P-light chains. Guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S], 100 microM) did not stimulate secretion from SLO-permeabilized platelets in the absence of Ca2+ (pCa>9), but greatly potentiated secretion in the presence of low PMA (10 nM) or low Ca2+ (pCa 6). However, GTP[S] did stimulate myosin P-light-chain phosphorylation in the absence of Ca2+, an effect that was associated with morphological changes, including granule centralization. Inhibition of PKC and of pleckstrin phosphorylation by Ro 31-8220 blocked secretion induced by PMA or by GTP[S] and PMA in the absence of Ca2+, but did not prevent the GTP[S]-induced phosphorylation of myosin P-light chains or secretion induced by Ca2+ at pCa 5. When the time period between exposure of platelets to SLO and challenge at pCa>9 with PMA or with GTP[S] and PMA was increased, there were rapid and parallel decreases in the secretion and pleckstrin phosphorylation responses, which were lost after 3-5 min. In contrast, the responsiveness of secretion to Ca2+ (pCa 5) or to GTP[S] and Ca2+ (pCa 6) persisted for at least 10 min after exposure of platelets to SLO, although the ability of pleckstrin to undergo phosphorylation was still lost after 3-5 min. Both PKC and pleckstrin were undetectable within platelets after 5 min exposure to SLO. The results suggest that the loss of responsiveness to PMA or to GTP[S] and PMA is attributable to the leakage of PKC (and possibly pleckstrin) from the platelets, whereas secretion stimulated by Ca2+ or by GTP[S] and Ca2+ utilizes membrane-associated Ca2+- and GTP-binding proteins and occurs independently of PKC activation.

Effects of selective phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitor, rolipram, on signal transducing phospholipases in neutrophil: inhibition of phospholipases A2, D but not C

The effects of a selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) type IV inhibitor, rolipram, on activation of neutrophil phospholipases in response to the chemotactic peptide formyl-methiony-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) were investigated. fMLP caused liberation of arachidonic acid, a precursor of eicosanoids and in the presence of 0.3% butanol, production of phosphatidylbutanol, an indicator of phospholipase D activation. Rolipram inhibited arachidonic acid release and phosphatidylbutanol formation. The inhibition was considered to be mediated through a cAMP-dependent mechanism, probably protein kinase A, because selective inhibitors for protein kinase A, H-8 or H-89 overcame the action of rolipram. The concentration-dependent inhibitory profile for phospholipase D activation was similar to that for lysosomal enzyme release, providing additional evidence for the functional link of these two events. In contrast, rolipram was without effect on fMLP-induced inositol trisphosphate production. These results indicate that this selective PDE IV inhibitor had no effect on phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activation but effectively prevented activation of phospholipases A2 and D coupled to arachidonic acid liberation and lysosomal enzyme release, respectively.

Effect of propranolol on platelet signal transduction

Propranolol inhibits platelet secondary aggregation and secretion by mechanisms unrelated to its beta-adrenergic-blocking activity. We previously reported that a major effect of the drug is perturbation of the physical microenvironment of the human platelet membrane. To explore further the molecular mechanisms underlying propranolol-mediated platelet inhibition, we studied protein kinase C activity, estimated from the phosphorylation of the substrate protein pleckstrin, in propranolol-treated human platelets. The drug inhibited activation of the enzyme in thrombin-stimulated platelets but not in platelets stimulated with phorbol esters, indicating that its site of action might be upstream of protein kinase C. It also inhibited the activity of phospholipase C, determined from the extent of generation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, in platelets stimulated with thrombin as well as the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that propranolol inhibits signal transduction in thrombin-stimulated platelets by interacting at the level of phospholipase C and exclude interaction of the drug with the downstream effector enzyme protein kinase C.

Evidence that activation of phospholipase D can mediate secretion from permeabilized platelets

Studies on electropermeabilized human platelets indicated that any two of three distinct factors must be present for marked secretion of dense or alpha-granule constituents to occur. These factors are Ca2+, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and activation of an unidentified GTP-binding protein ('GE'). Thus, in the absence of Ca2+, phorbol ester and GTP[S] acted synergistically to promote secretion, whereas in the presence of Ca2+, either activation of PKC or addition of GTP[S] was sufficient. In all cases, secretion correlated with the activation of phospholipase D (PLD), as detected by the formation of [3H]phosphatidic acid (PA) in the absence of ethanol or of [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt) in the presence of ethanol. Secretion did not correlate with phospholipase C (PLC) activity or with the accumulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), both of which required Ca2+ and were inhibited by phorbol ester. Ethanol partially inhibited secretion in the absence of Ca2+. BAPTA, a known inhibitor of Ca(2+)-independent secretion in permeabilized cells, caused parallel inhibitions of secretion and PLD activity. GTP[S] enhanced PKC activity, as indicated by pleckstrin phosphorylation, apparently by stimulating the formation of PA in the absence of Ca2+, as well as of DAG in the presence of Ca2+. PA and stable analogues, including PEt, stimulated the Ca(2+)-independent phosphorylation of pleckstrin and other proteins in platelet supernatant fraction. The results suggest that PA formed by activation of PLD may mediate secretion from permeabilized platelets by PKC-dependent and independent mechanisms. However, in intact platelets stimulated by thrombin, PLD accounted for only 10-20% of the total PA formed and can only play a major role in secretion if this PA fraction is distinct from that formed by the combined actions of PLC and DAG kinase.

Role of rap1B and p21ras GTPase-activating protein in the regulation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 in human platelets

Thrombin activates phospholipase C in human platelets, but the specific isoenzymes activated and the signal pathway used are unknown. Using specific antibodies, we found that phospholipase C-gamma 1 and the p21ras GTPase-activating protein, rasGAP, are present in human platelets. Furthermore, phospholipase C-gamma 1 was detectable, based on enzyme activity and Western blot analysis, in immunoprecipitates of rasGAP, suggesting that these two proteins form tight complexes. The pool of phospholipase C-gamma 1 associated with rasGAP was phosphorylated but not through tyrosine phosphorylation. Although thrombin stimulation had no effect on the level of phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 and only slightly increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of rasGAP, the agonist induced the association of rasGAP with rap1B, as indicated by the appearance of rap1B on a Western blot of rasGAP immunoprecipitates. Our results suggest the formation of a signaling complex involving rasGAP, phospholipase C-gamma 1, and rap1B that might be important in the cascade leading to platelet activation.

Guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) induced calcium release in human platelets is mediated by inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate

Guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) and its nonhydrolyzable analogs, such as guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), induce several responses in platelets including secretion, production of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular sites. Because IP3 is well established as a second messenger in mobilizing Ca2+ from intracellular stores it has been generally assumed that Ca2+ release by GTP/GTP gamma S in platelets is mediated by IP3. However, studies in neuronal, hepatic and smooth muscle cells have suggested that IP3 and GTP/GTP gamma S activate Ca2+ release by distinct mechanisms and that IP3-independent mechanisms mediate GTP/GTP gamma S-induced Ca2+ release. In several tissues heparin inhibits binding of IP3 and blocks IP3-stimulated Ca2+ release in a competitive and specific manner. In the present studies, IP3 and GTP gamma S induced Ca2+ release and their relationship was examined in human platelets using heparin as a probe. In saponin permeabilized platelets, IP3 (0.05-5 microM) induced a prompt, dose-dependent release of Ca2+ (EC50 0.5 microM). GTP gamma S (1-50 microM) released Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner with EC50 of 2 microM but with a time lag of 30-90 seconds. Exposure of platelets to 1 microM IP3 following a submaximal response with GTP gamma S (1 microM) resulted in a further increase in Ca2+ release but no further increase was noted on adding 1 microM IP3 following a maximal response with GTP gamma S (10 microM); similar findings were noted on reversing the order of addition of GTP gamma S and IP3 suggesting that these effectors release Ca2+ from the same source. IP3 (0.5 microM) induced Ca2+ release was blocked by low molecular weight (4000-6000) heparin (IC50 30 micrograms/ml). More importantly, heparin abolished GTP gamma S (2.5 microM) induced Ca2+ release (IC50 10 micrograms/ml). These results indicate that, in contrast to the findings in some other cells, in human platelets GTP gamma S-induced Ca2+ release is mediated largely by a mechanism involving IP3.

BW755C or staurosporine inhibits collagen-stimulated phosphoinositide phosphorylation in platelets

Stimulation of platelets by collagen results in increased formation of the polyphosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PtdInsP) and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) through stimulation of phosphoinositide kinase activities. We investigated a possible regulatory role of endogenous thromboxane formation and protein kinase C (PKC) activation in the induction of phosphoinositide phosphorylation following collagen stimulation, as well as following stimulation by the thromboxane mimetic, U-46619. Human platelets were prelabeled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with collagen (2 micrograms/mL) or U-46619 (1 microM), in the absence or presence of either the cyclo-oxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW755C, or staurosporine, a putative inhibitor or PKC. Collagen stimulation resulted in a time-dependent increase in [3H]inositol-labeled PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 which was completely inhibited in the presence of BW755C. Addition of U-46619 to BW755C-treated, collagen-stimulated platelets restored the increased polyphosphoinositide formation. Stimulation of platelets with U-46619 alone also resulted in increased formation of [3H]PtdInsP and [3H]PtdInsP2, but this was not affected by the presence of BW755C. These results suggest that the collagen-induced activation of phosphoinositide kinases was dependent upon thromboxane formation, but that U-46619-induced phosphoinositide formation was rather independent of further thromboxane production. Pretreatment of platelets with staurosporine, prior to agonist addition, completely blocked the collagen-stimulated rise in radiolabeled PtdInsP and the U-46619-induced PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 generations, suggesting that protein kinase, possibly PKC, may play a role in the activation of phosphoinositide kinases by these agonists.

Thrombin induces a biphasic 1,2-diacylglycerol production in human platelets

The 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass content was measured in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. Thrombin stimulates a biphasic accumulation of DAG, with an early phase reaching a peak at 10 s and a later phase reaching a peak at 2-3 min. The time course of first-phase DAG production corresponded well to that of Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation, which was rapid and transient. The second phase of DAG accumulation occurred after the level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 returned to nearly basal. Thrombin stimulated the decrease in PtdIns and phosphatidylcholine contents. The source of second-phase DAG was examined in platelets prelabelled with three radioactive fatty acids, i.e. arachidonic, palmitic and myristic. Thrombin stimulated the increase in radioactivity of DAG with decline of PtdIns in platelets labelled with [3H]arachidonic acid or [3H]palmitic acid, in which PtdIns was considerably labelled. In contrast, significant accumulation of [3H]DAG was not observed in [3H]myristic acid-labelled platelets, in which PtdIns was poorly labelled. In platelets prelabelled with [3H]inositol, an increase in InsP in response to thrombin was seen for more than 5 min. In contrast, upon stimulation, significant increases in [3H]phosphocholine and [3H]choline were not observed in [methyl-3H]choline-labelled platelets. Thrombin induced a small production of phosphatidylethanol, when ethanol was present during stimulation. However, the formation of DAG and phosphatidic acid was not significantly affected by ethanol. These results suggest that thrombin stimulates a biphasic accumulation of DAG, initially from PtdInsP2 and later from PtdIns in human platelets.

Factors affecting dense and alpha-granule secretion from electropermeabilized human platelets: Ca(2+)-independent actions of phorbol ester and GTP gamma S

Electropermeabilized human platelets containing 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine ([14C]5-HT) were suspended in a glutamate medium containing ATP and incubated for 10 min with (in various combinations) Ca2+ buffers, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), guanine nucleotides, and thrombin. Release of [14C]5-HT and beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) were used to measure secretion from dense and alpha-granules, respectively. Ca2+ alone induced secretion from both granule types; half-maximal effects were seen at a -log [Ca2+ free] (pCa) of 5.5 and maximal secretion at a pCa of 4.5, when approximately 80% of 5-HT and approximately 50% of beta TG were released. Addition of PMA, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), GTP, or thrombin shifted the Ca2+ dose-response curves for secretion of both 5-HT and beta TG to the left and caused small increases in the maximum secretion observed. These results suggested that secretion from alpha-granules, like that from dense granules, is a Ca(2+)-dependent process stimulated by the sequential activation of a G-protein, phospholipase C, and protein kinase C (PKC). However, high concentrations of PMA and GTP gamma S had distinct effects in the absence of Ca2+ (pCa greater than 9); 100 nM PMA released approximately 20% of platelet 5-HT but little beta TG, whereas 100 microM GTP gamma S stimulated secretion of approximately 25% of each. Simultaneous addition of PMA greatly enhanced these effects of GTP gamma S. Phosphorylation of pleckstrin in permeabilized platelets incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP was used as an index of the activation of PKC during secretion. In the absence of Ca2+, 100 nM PMA caused maximal phosphorylation of pleckstrin and 100 microM GTP gamma S was approximately 50% as effective as PMA; neither GTP gamma S nor Ca2+ enhanced the phosphorylation of pleckstrin caused by 100 nM PMA. These results indicate that, although activation of PKC promoted secretion, GTP gamma S exerted additional stimulatory effects on secretion from both dense and alpha-granules that were not mediated by PKC. Measurement of [3H]inositol phosphate formation in permeabilized platelets containing [3H]phosphoinositides showed that GTP gamma S did not stimulate phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in the absence of Ca2+. It follows that in permeabilized platelets, GTP gamma S can both stimulate PKC and enhance secretion via G-protein-linked effectors other than this phospholipase.

Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate metabolism in permeabilised SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by a phosphorothioate-containing analogue of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

Electrically permeabilised [3H]inositol-labelled SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were employed to examine the effects of two synthetic, phosphatase-resistant analogues of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] on the metabolism of cell membrane-derived [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 or exogenous [5-32P]Ins(1,4,4)P3. Incubation of permeabilised SH-SY5Y cells for 5 min at 37 degrees C with carbachol and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate caused a decrease in [3H]phosphoinositol phospholipid levels and an increase in [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation with inositol 4-phosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, Ins(1,4,5)P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate comprising approximately 79%, 16%, 3% and 2%, respectively, of the increase. Inositol 1-phosphate levels did not increase upon stimulation, nor was inositol 4-phosphate converted rapidly to inositol. In parallel incubations, the analogues, DL-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (DL-InsP3S3) and DL-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate 5-phosphorothioate (DL-InsP3S), and synthetic racemic Ins(1,4,5)P3 (DL-InsP3), altered the profile of the [3H]inositol phosphates recovered and led, at millimolar concentrations, to a 10-15-fold increase in [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3. The extent of inhibition of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolism was, however, greatest in the presence of synthetic D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 (greater than or equal to 5 mM), when [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 comprised approximately 50% of the increase in total [3H]inositol phosphates. Thus, under these conditions, at least 50% of [3H]inositol phosphates were derived from [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. [32P]Pi release from exogenous [5-32P]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was also inhibited by DL-InsP3S3, DL-InsP3S and DL-InsP3, with half-maximal inhibition at approximately 50 microM, 160 microM and 240 microM respectively. These actions were approximately ten times more potent than the effects of these compounds on [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation, indicating that homogenous mixing of exogenous and cell-membrane-derived Ins(1,4,5)P3 does not occur. These findings indicate that DL-InsP3S3 and DL-InsP3S inhibit Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase. In contrast, the effects of synthetic DL-InsP3 and D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 are due to isotopic dilution. Whilst DL-InsP3S3 was the most potent inhibitor of dephosphorylation of exogenous or cell-membrane-derived Ins(1,4,5)P3, it was the weakest inhibitor of 3-kinase-catalysed Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphorylation. Similarly, although approximately 50 times less potent than DL-InsP3S3, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate inhibited Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity and was apparently without effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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.

Guanine nucleotides and Ca2(+)-dependent lysosomal secretion in electropermeabilised human platelets

1. Metabolically stable analogues of GTP, e.g. guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate (pp[NH]pG), enhance the extent of Ca2(+)-dependent secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase from electropermeabilised human platelets in the presence of less than 5 microM Ca2+. A similar effect is observed on addition either of 1,2-dioctanoin or of GTP in in the presence or absence of thrombin. 2. In the presence of higher Ca2+ concentrations the extent of enhancement of lysosomal secretion declines and little, or no, enhancement is observed at a [Ca2+] of 30-40 microM. Addition of leupeptin or antipain prevents this decrease in lysosomal secretion and enhances the extent of Ca2(+)-dependent lysosomal secretion obtained in the presence or absence of guanine nucleotides, thrombin or 1,2-dioctanoin. 3. The concentration of GTP[S] or pp[NH]pG required to obtain half-maximal enhancement of lysosomal secretion is dependent on [Ca2+] for secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase. At two fixed [Ca2+] the median effective concentration (EC50) values for GTP[S] and pp[NH]pG which characterise enhancement of 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion are significantly different from those characterising enhancement of the secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase. 4. In the presence of a saturating concentration of GTP[S] marked 5-hydroxytryptamine and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase secretion is observed at nanomolar [Ca2+] and these responses show little dependence on [Ca2+] over the attainable range. Secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is also induced at nanomolar Ca2+ concentrations by addition of activators of protein kinase C. 5. Guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate inhibits enhancement of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase secretion induced by GTP[S] but has no effect on secretion of this enzyme induced by Ca2+ when added alone. 6. Our data provide some support for a model in which addition of metabolically stable guanine nucleotides enhances Ca2(+)-dependent platelet lysosomal secretion by activating a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (GE) located close to the exocytotic site. However, not all the data are consistent with this postulate.

Receptor-mediated release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells permeabilized with streptolysin O

Antigen-mediated exocytosis in intact rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells is associated with substantial hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids and an elevation in concentration of cytosol Ca2+ ([ Ca2+i]). Paradoxically, these two responses are largely dependent on external Ca2+. We report here that cells labeled with myo-[3H]inositol and permeabilized with streptolysin O do release [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate upon stimulation with antigen or guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) at low (less than 100 nM) concentrations of free Ca2+. The response, however, is amplified by increasing free Ca2+ to 1 microM. The subsequent conversion of the trisphosphate to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is enhanced also by the increase in free Ca2+. Although [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulates in greater amounts than is the case in intact cells, [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate is still the major product in permeabilized cells even when the further metabolism of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is suppressed (by 77%) by the addition of excess (1000 microM) unlabeled inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the phosphatase inhibitor 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. It would appear that either the activity of the membrane 5-phosphomonoesterase allows virtually instantaneous dephosphorylation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate under all conditions tested or both phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and the 4,5-bisphosphate are substrates for the activated phospholipase C. The latter alternative is supported by the finding that permeabilized cells, which respond much more vigorously to high (supraoptimal) concentrations of antigen than do intact RBL-2H3 cells, produce substantial amounts of [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate before any detectable increase in levels of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.