,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) regulate diverse physiological functions, including contraction and proliferation. There are three IP3R isoforms, but their functional significance in arterial smooth muscle cells is unclear. Here, we investigated relative expression and physiological functions of IP3R isoforms in cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. We show that 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and xestospongin C, membrane-permeant IP3R blockers, reduced Ca 2ϩ wave activation and global intracellular Ca 2ϩ ([Ca 2ϩ ]i) elevation stimulated by UTP, a phospholipase C-coupled purinergic receptor agonist. Quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence indicated that all three IP3R isoforms were expressed in acutely isolated cerebral artery smooth muscle cells, with IP3R1 being the most abundant isoform at 82% of total IP3R message. IP3R1 knockdown with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) did not alter baseline Ca 2ϩ wave frequency and global [Ca 2ϩ ]i but abolished UTP-induced Ca 2ϩ wave activation and reduced the UTP-induced global [Ca 2ϩ ]i elevation by ϳ61%. Antibodies targeting IP3R1 and IP3R1 knockdown reduced UTP-induced nonselective cation current (Icat) activation. IP3R1 knockdown also reduced UTP-induced vasoconstriction in pressurized arteries with both intact and depleted sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2ϩ by ϳ45%. These data indicate that IP 3R1 is the predominant IP3R isoform expressed in rat cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. IP 3R1 stimulation contributes to UTP-induced I cat activation, Ca 2ϩ wave generation, global [Ca 2ϩ ]i elevation, and vasoconstriction. In addition, IP 3R1 activation constricts cerebral arteries in the absence of SR Ca 2ϩ release by stimulating plasma membrane Icat.cerebral artery smooth muscle cells; calcium wave; short hairpin RNA INOSITOL 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) receptors (IP 3 Rs) are expressed in many cell types and regulate several physiological functions, including development, muscle contraction, cell proliferation, and differentiation (1,45,47,56 Rs (7,43,54). IP 3 also activates cation channels in vascular smooth muscle cells through mechanisms that do not require the stimulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2ϩ release (27, 54). In cerebral artery smooth muscle cells, IP 3 R activation stimulates TRPC3 channels, leading to Na ϩ influx, membrane depolarization, voltage-dependent Ca 2ϩ channel activation, and vasoconstriction (54). Thus IP 3 Rs regulate ion channel activity, Ca 2ϩ signals, and physiological functions in the vasculature. However, despite the functional importance of IP 3 Rs in arterial smooth muscle cells, specific IP 3 R isoforms that are expressed in this cell type and their functional significance are poorly understood.Three IP 3 R isoforms, designated IP 3 R1, IP 3 R2, and IP 3 R3, are encoded by distinct genes (6, 37). IP 3 R isoform expression varies widely between different cell types. Cerebellar Purkinje neurons express predominantly IP 3 R1, pancreatic -cells primarily express IP 3 R3, and cardiac myocytes express IP 3 R2 (14, 48...