ATP is a candidate enteric inhibitory neurotransmitter in visceral smooth m
uscles. ATP hyperpolarizes visceral muscles via activation of small-conduct
ance, Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels. Coupling between ATP stimulation and
SK channels may be mediated by localized Ca2+ release. Isolated myocytes o
f the murine colon produced spontaneous, localized Ca2+ release events. The
se events corresponded to spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) co
nsisting of charybdotoxin (ChTX)-sensitive and -insensitive events. ChTX-in
sensitive STOCs were inhibited by apamin. Localized Ca2+ transients were no
t blocked by ryanodine, but these events were reduced in magnitude and freq
uency by xestospongin C (Xe-C), a blocker of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate r
eceptors. Thus we have termed the localized Ca2+ events in colonic myocytes
"Ca2+ puffs." The P-2Y receptor agonist 2-methylthio-ATP (2-MeS-ATP) incre
ased the intensity and frequency of Ca2+ puffs. 2-MeS-ATP also increased ST
OCs in association with the increase in Ca2+ puffs. Pyridoxal-phospate-6-az
ophenyl-2',4'-disculfonic acid tetrasodium, a P-2 receptor inhibitor, block
ed responses to 2-MeS-ATP. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients and the effects of 2
-MeS-ATP on Ca2+ puffs and STOCs were blocked by U-73122, an inhibitor of p
hospholipase C. Xe-C and ryanodine also blocked responses to 2-MeS-ATP, sug
gesting that, in addition to release from IP3 receptor-operated stores, rya
nodine receptors may be recruited during agonist stimulation to amplify rel
ease of Ca2+. These data suggest that localized Ca2+ release modulates Ca2-dependent ionic conductances in the plasma membrane. Localized Ca2+ releas
e may contribute to the electrical responses resulting from purinergic stim
ulation.