Cytokines and free radicals are mediators of beta-cell death in type 1 diabetes. Under in vitro conditions, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) + gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) induce nitric oxide (NO) production and apoptosis in rodent and human pancreatic beta-cells. We have previously shown, by microarray analysis of primary beta-cells, that IL-1beta + IFN-gamma decrease expression of the mRNA encoding for the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum pump Ca(2+) ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) while inducing expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related and proapoptotic gene CHOP (C/EBP [CCAAT/enhancer binding protein] homologous protein). In the present study we show that cytokine-induced apoptosis and necrosis in primary rat beta-cells and INS-1E cells largely depends on NO production. IL-1beta + IFN-gamma, via NO synthesis, markedly decreased SERCA2b protein expression and depleted ER Ca(2+) stores. Of note, beta-cells showed marked sensitivity to apoptosis induced by SERCA blockers, as compared with fibroblasts. Cytokine-induced ER Ca(2+) depletion was paralleled by an NO-dependent induction of CHOP protein and activation of diverse components of the ER stress response, including activation of inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1alpha (IRE1alpha) and PRK (RNA-dependent protein kinase)-like ER kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), but not ATF6. In contrast, the ER stress-inducing agent thapsigargin triggered these four pathways in parallel. In conclusion, our results suggest that the IL-1beta + IFN-gamma-induced decrease in SERCA2b expression, with subsequent depletion of ER Ca(2+) and activation of the ER stress pathway, is a potential contributory mechanism to beta-cell death.