1 In SH-SY5Y cells, y-opioids cause a rapidly desensitizing activation of phospholipase C (PLC), that appears secondary to Ca2" influx via L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2" channels (VSCCs). The aim of the present study was to characterize the mechanisms of desensitization of the p-opioid-induced inositol (1,4,5) Blockade of Ca2+-activated K+ currents with 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) or iberiotoxin (10 nM) had no effect on fentanyl-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation but further increased the Ro 31-8220-enhanced response.6 All three mechanisms had additive, or even supra-additive, effects, but only at later (120-300 s) time points. In addition, fentanyl-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation, even if enhanced by H-89, Ro 31-8220 and/ or 4-aminopyridine, was inhibited by nifedipine (1 nM-10 I*M). 7 In conclusion, desensitization of the p-opioid-induced activation of PLC is multifactorial, involving protein kinases C and A and Ca2'-activated K+ efflux, but the L-type VSCC is of critical importance and may be a possible common site of action.