The effect of 2, 4, 6-trimethyl-N-(meta-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), a presumed phospholipase C activator, on cytosolic free Ca(superscript 2+) concentrations ([Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i)) in PC3 human prostate cancer cells is unclear. This study explored whether m-3M3FBS changed basal [Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i) levels in suspended PC3 cells by using fura-2 as a Ca(superscript 2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye. M-3M3FBS at concentrations between 10-50μM increased [Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i) in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca(superscript 2+) signal was reduced by 60% by removing extracellular Ca(superscript 2+). M-3M3FBS-induced Ca(superscript 2+) influx was inhibited by the store-operated Ca(superscript 2+) channel blockers nifedipine, econazole and SK&F96365, and by the phospholipase A2 inhibitor aristolochic acid. In Ca(superscript 2+)-free medium, 30μM m-3M3FBS pretreatment greatly inhibited the [Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i) rise induced by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(superscript 2+) pump inhibitor thapsigargin or BHQ. Conversely, pretreatment with thapsigargin, BHQ or cyclopiazonic acid reduced the major part of m-3M3FBS-induced [Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i) rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not much alter m-3M3FBS-induced [Ca(superscript 2+)](subscript i) rise. Collectively, in PC3 cells, m-3M3FBS induced [Ca(superscript 2+)+](subscript i) rises by causing phospholipase C-independent Ca(superscript 2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca(superscript 2+) influx via store-operated Ca(superscript 2+) channels.