Reactive blue 2 induces calcium oscillations in HeLa cells

Reactive Blue 2 (RB), which is used as an ATP receptor antagonist, induced CA(2+) oscillations in HeLa cells. RB-induced CA(2+) oscillations were abolished in CA(2+)-free solution. RB, however, did not affect CA(2+) influx measured by Mn(2+) quenching. The PLC cascade and intracellular CA(2+) release were involved as U73122 and thapsigargin inhibited RB-induced CA(2+) oscillations. RB enhanced a CA(2+) response to histamine that is linked to the PLC cascade. RB may activate the PLC cascade in an extracellular CA(2+)-dependent manner and induce CA(2+) oscillations.