were varied, we found that one subtype dictated the ATP regulatory properties of heteromers. We show that R2 monomers within a heterotetramer were both necessary and sufficient to dictate the ATP regulatory properties. Finally, the ATP-binding site B in R2 critical for ATP regulation was mutated and rendered non-functional to address questions relating to the stoichiometry of IP 3 R regulation. Two intact R2 monomers were sufficient to maintain ATP regulation in R2 homotetramers. In summary, we demonstrate that heterotetrameric IP 3 R do not necessarily behave as the sum of the constituent subunits, and these properties likely extend the versatility of IP 3 -induced Ca 2؉ signaling in cells expressing multiple IP 3 R isoforms.The importance of intracellular Ca 2ϩ as a second messenger is underscored by its distinctive ability to regulate a multitude of diverse cellular processes, including transcription, translation, secretion of fluids, muscle contraction, motility, fertilization, memory, apoptosis, and autophagy (1-8). This remarkable capacity to precisely and often simultaneously regulate cellular events is thought to be due, at least in part, to the highly sophisticated spatial and temporal control of intracellular [Ca 2ϩ ] by a complement of specialized proteins, collectively termed the "Ca 2ϩ signaling toolkit" (7). Simplistically, this "toolkit" includes several Ca 2ϩ influx and release channels whose activation brings about a rise in basal intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration. In addition, cytosolic Ca 2ϩ buffers, pumps, and transporters function to reduce the intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration by extrusion into stores or the extracellular space (9). Essential components of this toolkit are the members of the endoplasmic reticulum-localized inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R) 2 family. Stimulation of cell surface receptors by growth factors, hormones, and neurotransmitters results in Ca 2ϩ mobilization as a result of the generation of IP 3 , which subsequently binds to and activates IP 3 Rs (10, 11). There are three major subtypes of IP 3 Rs (R1, R2, and R3), encoded by a distinct gene (Itpr1, Itpr2, and Itpr3) (12, 13). These ϳ300-kDa monomeric proteins co-translationally oligomerize into ϳ1200-kDa tetrameric Ca 2ϩ release channels (14). The three subtypes share ϳ60 -70% sequence homology and are conventionally divided into three functional domains. At the extreme N terminus lies the conserved ligandbinding domain, which is composed of a suppressor domain (SD) and a ligand-binding core (15). This is followed by a large, less conserved intermediary regulatory domain that contains several putative sites for regulation by different molecules, including Ca 2ϩ (serving as a co-agonist), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), protein binding partners, and post-translational modifications (16). Finally, at the C terminus lies a six-transmembrane domain that, in addition to being critical for receptor oligomerization (17) and ER localization (18,19), contains the ion-conducting pore between transmembrane helice...