In the present study we have investigated the role of inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP(3)), functional IP(3) receptors (IP(3)Rs) and the human homologue of the Drosophila transient receptor potential (Trp) channel, human Trp1 (hTrp1), in store-mediated Ca(2+) entry (SMCE) in human platelets. Inhibition of IP(3) recycling using Li(+), or the inhibition of IP(3)Rs using xestospongin C, both resulted in the inhibition of SMCE activation following Ca(2+) store depletion using thapsigargin. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that endogenously expressed hTrp1 couples with IP(3)R type II, but not types I or III, in platelets with depleted intracellular Ca(2+) stores, but not in control, undepleted cells. These results provide strong evidence for the activation of SMCE by conformational coupling involving de novo association between IP(3)Rs and a plasma membrane channel in normal human cells.