-Recent studies on the P2X 7 receptor in 2BH4 cells and peritoneal macrophages have demonstrated that the raise in intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration induces a pore opening similar to P2X 7 receptor pore. Herein, we have investigated whether the pore activated by the elevation of intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration is associated to P2X 7 receptor. Using patch clamp in cell attached, whole cell configuration, and dye uptake, we measured the pore opening in cell types that express the P2X 7 receptor (2BH4 cells and peritoneal macrophages) and in cells that do not express this receptor . In 2BH4 cells, the stimulation with ionomycin (5-10 M) increased intracellular free Ca 2ϩ concentration and induced pore formation with conductance of 421 Ϯ 14 pS, half-time (t 1 ⁄2) for ethidium bromide uptake of 118 Ϯ 17 s, and t 1 ⁄2 for Lucifer yellow of 122 Ϯ 11 s. P2X 7 receptor antagonists did not block these effects. Stimulation of HEK-293 and IT45-RI cells resulted in pore formation with properties similar to those found for 2BH4 cells. Connexin hemichannel inhibitors (carbenoxolone and heptanol) also did not inhibit the pore-induced effect following the increase in intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration. However, 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)-amiloride, a P2X 7 receptor pore blocker, inhibited the induced pore. Moreover, intracellular signaling modulators, such as calmodulin, phospholipase C, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cytoskeleton components were important for the pore formation. Additionally, we confirmed the results obtained for electrophysiology by using the flow cytometry, and we discarded the possibility of cellular death induced by raising intracellular Ca 2ϩ at the doses used by using lactate dehydrogenase release assay. In conclusion, increased concentration in intracellular Ca ϩ2 induces a novel membrane pore pharmacologically different from the P2X 7 associated pore and hemigap-junction pore.P2X 7 receptor; pore formation; second messenger P2X RECEPTORS are members of a family of P2 receptors with seven subtypes (P2X 1 -P2X 7 ) that induce an increase in intracellular Ca 2ϩ concentration when activated. Among the P2X receptors, P2X 7 subtype is the most divergent component of this family in terms of pharmacological properties, molecular structure, and function (54). This receptor forms a nonselective cation channel upon low ATP concentration, whereas at high ATP concentration, this receptor induces a pore formation that allows the flux of molecules of up to 900 Da and may lead to cell death. Although P2X 7 receptor is associated with expression of both functional channels and large pores, the structure of the large pore-forming subunits and whether the channel and the large pore are the same structure are still not known.From a physiological point of view, P2X 7 is mainly expressed in the immune system found in all cells of this system studied so far. The activation of P2X 7 receptor has several effects in the immune system such as release of mature interleukin- and other pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-18,...