Assessing the omnipotence of inositol hexakisphosphate

This review assesses the authenticity of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6) ) being a wide-ranging regulator of many important cellular functions. Agai nst a background in which the possible importance of localized InsP(6) meta bolism is discussed. there is the facile explanation that InsP(6) is merely an "inactive" precursor for the diphosphorylated inositol phosphates. Inde ed. many of the proposed cellular functions of InsP(6) cannot sustain a cha llenge from the implementation of a rigorous set of criteria. which are des igned to avoid experimental artefacts. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.