Considering the physiological Ca 2+ dynamics within the ER (endoplasmic reticulum), it remains unclear how efficient protein folding is maintained in living cells. Thus, utilizing the strictly folding-dependent activity and secretion of LPL (lipoprotein lipase), we evaluated the impact of ER Ca 2+ content and mitochondrial contribution to Ca 2+ -dependent protein folding. Exhaustive ER Ca 2+ depletion by inhibition of sarcoplasmic/ endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPases caused strong, but reversible, reduction of cell-associated and released activity of constitutive and adenovirus-encoded human LPL in CHO-K1 (Chinesehamster ovary K1) and endothelial cells respectively, which was not due to decline of mRNA or intracellular protein levels. In contrast, stimulation with the IP 3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate)-generating agonist histamine only moderately and transiently affected LPL maturation in endothelial cells that paralleled a basically preserved ER Ca 2+ content. However, in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ or upon prevention of transmitochondrial Ca 2+ flux, LPL maturation discontinued upon histamine stimulation. Collectively, these data indicate that Ca 2+ -dependent protein folding in the ER is predominantly controlled by intraluminal Ca 2+ and is largely maintained during physiological cell stimulation owing to efficient ER Ca 2+ refilling. Since Ca 2+ entry and mitochondrial Ca 2+ homoeostasis are crucial for continuous Ca 2+ -dependent protein maturation in the ER, their pathological alterations may result in dysfunctional protein folding.