Phosphatidylinositol kinase in rat pancreatic islets: subcellular distribution and sensitivity to calcium.

Plasma membrane of pancreatic islets contains a calcium sensitive phosphatidylinositol kinase. This enzyme catalyzes the first reaction in the pathway leading to the production of inositol trisphosphate, which is believed to cause a redistribution of intracellular calcium. Since the activity of this enzyme is inhibited by calcium (K0.5 = 10 microM), a loss of calcium from plasma membrane (the site of PI kinase) may be necessary for activation of the enzyme in vivo.