The effect of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) on calcium mobilization was studied in human osteosarcoma lines, Saos-2 and G292, as well as isolated rat osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells. Cells were permeabilized with saponin and calcium mobilization was studied with the fluorescent dye, fura-2 in a recording spectrofluorometer. IP3 (10-mu-M) increased calcium release in all cell types studied. The effect was dependent on ATP and occurred in the presence of mitochondrial inhibitors. The effect was not seen with inositol 1-phosphate (IP) or inositol 1,4-diphosphate (IP2). Inositol 1,3,4,5 tetrakisphosphate (IP4) appeared to elicit a decrease in the calcium released. Depletion of the intracellular pool with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, as well as incubation with the inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, TMB-8, obliterated the IP3 effect. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that increases in IP3 can cause a rapid elevation of bone cell cytosolic calcium.