The inositol phosphates (IPs) are a family of molecules produced by altering the phosphorylation status of each of the six carbons on the cyclic inositol structure. They act as second messengers, regulating a wide array of cellular functions. D-myo-inositol-1,3,4,6-tetraphosphate(Ins(1,3,4,6)-P4) largely acts an intermediate, serving as substrate for inositol-1,3,4,6-tetraphosphate 5-kinase to produce inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphate, or inositol-1,3,4,6-tetraphosphate 2-kinase to give inositol-1,2,3,4,6-pentaphosphate. These inositol pentaphosphates can be further phosphorylated to produce inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate, or phytic acid, which serves diverse roles in eukaryotic tissues. Ins(1,3,4,6)-P4 is a poor activator of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphospate receptor in vitro. Other functions of this IP remain to be elucidated.