Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P(3)] rapidly accumulates in elicited Cupressus lusitanica Mill. cultured cells by 4- to 5-fold over the control, and then it is metabolized. Correspondingly, phospholipase C (PLC) activity toward phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] is stimulated to high levels by the elicitor and then decreases whereas Ins(1,4,5)P(3) phosphatase activity declines at the beginning of elicitation and increases later. These observations indicate that elicitor-induced biosynthesis and dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) occur simultaneously and that the Ins(1,4,5)P(3) level may be regulated by both PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-PLC and Ins(1,4,5)P(3) phosphatases. Studies on the properties of PLC and Ins(1,4,5)P(3) phosphatases indicate that PLC activity toward PtdIns(4,5)P(2) was optimal at a lower Ca(2+) concentration than activity toward phosphatidylinositol whereas Ins(1,4,5)P(3) phosphatase activity is inhibited by high Ca(2+) concentration. This suggests that Ins(1,4,5)P(3) biosynthesis and degradation may be regulated by free cytosolic Ca(2+). In addition, a relationship between Ins(1,4,5)P(3) signaling and accumulation of a phytoalexin (beta-thujaplicin) is suggested because inhibition or promotion of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) accumulation by neomycin or LiCl affects elicitor-induced production of beta-thujaplicin. Moreover, ruthenium red inhibits elicitor-induced accumulation of beta-thujaplicin while thapsigargin alone induces beta-thujaplicin accumulation. These results suggest that Ca(2+) released from intracellular calcium stores may mediate elicitor-induced accumulation of beta-thujaplicin via an Ins(1,4,5)P(3) signaling pathway, since it is widely accepted that Ins(1,4,5)P(3) can mobilize Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. This work demonstrates an elicitor-triggered Ins(1,4,5)P(3) turnover, defines its enzymatic basis and regulation, and suggests a role for Ins(1,4,5)P(3) in elicitor-induced phytoalexin accumulation via a Ca(2+) signaling pathway.