Buffering intracellular Ca2+ nearly completely abolished ATP-induced Ca2+ signals (Fig. 9A, B). Moreover, when formation of InsP3 or its target channels were blocked, there was also a significant reduction in ATP-induced Ca2+ release (Fig. 9C, D). These results provide evidence that intracellular Ca2+ signals are required PLX4032 supplier for insertion of Mrp2 into the plasma membrane, and in particular suggest that Ca2+ released by an InsP3R-dependent mechanism is responsible for targeting of Mrp2. The current work shows that InsP3R2 KO hepatocytes have defective Ca2+ signaling and organic anion secretion, and that insertion of Mrp2

into the plasma membrane is Ca2+ dependent. InsP3R2 KO mice develop normally, and no gross phenotypical alteration

has been described. However, double-knockout mice lacking both InsP3R2 and InsP3R3 have deficient secretion of saliva and pancreatic zymogens, which results in an inability to fully digest and absorb nutrients. Pancreatic acinar cells isolated from these double-knockout animals have decreased Ca2+ release and accumulate zymogen granules, presumably reflecting impaired exocytosis.43 In the current work, Ca2+ signals in hepatocytes selleckchem isolated from InsP3R2 KO mice showed reduced amplitude, and there was an increase in rise time of the Ca2+ signals. Together these kinetic

parameters of Ca2+ signaling indicate a significant impairment in Ca2+ release in the InsP3R2 KO cells. This effect is consistent with the observation that pericanalicular InsP3R2 are essential to create a trigger zone to initiate and propagate Tolmetin Ca2+ waves in rat hepatocytes,12, 14 much like what is observed in pancreatic acinar cells16, 44 and in cholangiocytes.32, 45 The results presented here also demonstrate decreased Mrp2 activity in sandwich cultures of InsP3R2 KO hepatocytes. This effect is likely attributable to the action of InsP3R2 as an intracellular Ca2+ release channel, because the effect was duplicated by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+. This apparent effect of Ca2+ could be attributable to regulation of transporter activity, trafficking, or expression. The absence of InsP3R2 did not affect either expression levels or localization of Mrp2, however. Instead, TIRF measurements suggested that release of intracellular Ca2+ promotes insertion of rat Mrp2 into the plasma membrane. This is consistent with previous observations that Ca2+ and PKC act as regulators of exocytosis in the liver46 and also with reports showing that tauroursodeoxycholic acid induces Ca2+ release24 and Ca2+-dependent exocytosis25 and activates conventional PKCs, leading to Mrp2 insertion into the canalicular membrane.