The mechanisms by which Ca2+-store-release channels and Ca2+- entry channels are coupled to receptor activation are poorly understood. Modification of Ca2+ signals by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), suggests the agent may target entry channels or the machinery controlling their activation. In DT40 B-cells and Jurkat T-cells, complete Ca2+ store release was induced by 2-APB (EC50 10-20 muM). At 75 muM, 2-APB emptied stores completely in both lymphocyte lines, but had no such effect on other cells. In DT40 cells, 2-APB mimicked B-cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking, but no effect was observed in mutant DT40 lines devoid of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InSP3) receptors (InSP(3)Rs) or phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2). Like the BCR, 2-APB activated transfected TRPC3 (canonical transient receptor potential) channels, which acted as sensors for PLC-gamma2-generated diacylglycerol in DT40 cells. The action of 2-APB on InSP3Rs and TRPC3 channels was prevented by PLC-inhibition, and required PLC-gamma2 catalytic activity. However, unlike BCR activation, no increased InSP3 level could be measured in response to 2-APB. Also, calyculin A-induced cytoskeletal reorganization prevented 2-APB-induced InSP3R and TRPC3-channel activation, but not that induced by the BCR. 2-APB still activated TRPC3 channels in DT40 cells with fully depleted Ca2+ stores, indicating its action was not via Ca2+ release. Significantly, 2-APB-induced InSP3R and TRPC3 activation was prevented in DT40 knockout cells devoid of the BCR- and PLC-gamma2-coupled adaptor/kinases, Syk, Lyn, Btk or BLNK. The results suggest that 2-APB activates Ca2+ signals in lymphocytes by initiating and enhancing coupling between components of the BCR-PLC-gamma2 complex and both Ca2+-entry and Ca2+-release channels.