We have previously shown that endothelial cells (EC) derived from the uterine artery (UA) of both pregnant (P-UAEC) and nonpregnant (NP-UAEC) ewes show a biphasic intracellular free Ca 2C ([Ca 2C ] i ) response after ATP stimulation. In each case, the initial transient peak, caused by the release of Ca 2C from the intracellular Ca 2C stores, is mediated by purinergic receptor-Y2 and is very similar in both cell types. However, the sustained phase in particular, caused by the influx of extracellular Ca
2C, is heightened in the P-UAEC, and associates with an increased ability of the cells to demonstrate enhanced capacitative Ca 2C entry (CCE) via store-operated channels (SOCs). Herein we demonstrated that the difference in the sustained [Ca 2C ] i response is maintained for at least 30 min. When 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) (an inhibitor of the inosital 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and possibly SOC) was used in conjunction with ATP, it was capable of completely inhibiting CCE. Since 2APB can inhibit SOC in some cell types and 2APB was capable of inhibiting CCE in the UAEC model, the role of SOC in CCE was first evaluated using the classical inhibitor La ] i response. Since canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) have recently been identified as putative SOCs in many cell types, including EC, the expression levels of several isoforms were evaluated in UAEC. Expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels in particular was detected, but no significant difference in expression level was found between NP-and P-UAEC. Nonetheless, we were able to show that IP3R2 interacts with TRPC3 in UAEC, forming a protein complex, and that this interaction is considerably enhanced in an agonist sensitive manner by pregnancy. Thus, while IP3R and TRPC isoforms are not altered in their expression by pregnancy, enhanced functional interaction of TRPC3 with IP3R2 may underlie pregnancy-enhanced CCE in the UAEC model and so explain the prolonged [Ca 2C ] i sustained phase seen in response to ATP.