The roles of the heterotrimeric G-protein, G i2 , in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and the activation of store-operated Ca 2؉ channels in rat hepatocytes were investigated. G␣ i2 was principally associated with the plasma membrane and microsomes. Both F-actin and G␣ i2 were detected by Western blot analysis in a purified plasma membrane preparation, the supernatant and pellet obtained by treating the plasma membrane with Triton X-100, and after depolymerization and repolymerization of F-actin in the Triton X-100-insoluble pellet. Actin in the Triton X-100-soluble supernatant coprecipitated with G␣ i2 using either anti-G␣ i2 or antiactin antibodies. The principally cortical location of F-actin in hepatocytes cultured for 0.5 h changed to a pericanalicular distribution over a further 3.5 h. Some G␣ i2 co-localized with F-actin at the plasma membrane. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylated 70 -80% of G␣ i2 in the plasma membrane and microsomes, prevented the redistribution of F-actin, caused redistribution and fragmentation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and inhibited vasopressin-stimulated Ca 2؉ inflow. It is concluded that (i) a significant portion of hepatocyte G␣ i2 associates with, and regulates the arrangement of, cortical F-actin and the endoplasmic reticulum and (ii) either or both of these regulatory roles are likely to be required for normal vasopressin activation of Ca 2؉ inflow.