Résumé : D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] analogues fluoridated at 4- or 5-phosphate or both were analysed to assess the involvement of ionic interactions between the phosphates of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the proteins that recognize it, such as metabolic enzymes and the InsP3 receptor. These analogues were effective in inhibiting type I Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity with much the same potency as Ins(1,4,5)P3, although the enzyme showed a lower Km value as pH values increased. In contrast, the analogues were less potent ligands than Ins(1,4,5)P3 in both the assay of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding to the receptors and the phosphorylation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 catalysed by Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase. These results suggest that ionic interactions with the dianionic 4- and 5-phosphates of Ins(1,4,5)P3 are involved in recognition by the receptor and the kinase, but not by the phosphatase.