– Ins(1,2)P2 (sodium salt) is one of the many inositol phosphate (InsP) isomers that could act as small, soluble second messengers in the transmission of cellular signals. The most studied InsP Ins(1,4,5)P3, is a second messenger produced in cells by phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate. Binding of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to its receptor on the endoplasmic reticulum results in opening of the calcium channels and an increase in intracellular calcium. Ins(1,2)P2 (tested as the D/L racemic mixture) is ~1,000-fold less potent than Ins(1,4,5)P3 at initiating Ca2+ release when injected into Xenopus oocytes.