Chronic exposure of pancreatic beta-cells to high concentrations of glucose impairs the insulin secretory response to further glucose stimulation. This phenomenon is referred to as glucose desensitization. It has been shown that glucose desensitization is associated with abnormal elevation of beta-cell basal intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). We have investigated the relationship between the basal intracellular free Ca2+ and the L-type (Cav1.3) Ca2+ channel translocation in insulin-secreting cells. Glucose stimulation or membrane depolarization induced a nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ influx, which was attenuated when the basal [Ca2+]i was elevated. Using voltage-clamp techniques, we found that changing [Ca2+]i could regulate the amplitude of the Ca2+ current. This effect was attenuated by drugs that interfere with the cytoskeleton. Immunofluorescent labeling of Cav1.3 showed an increase in the cytoplasmic distribution of the channels under high [Ca2+]i conditions by deconvolution microscopy. The [Ca2+]i-dependent translocation of Cav1.3 channel was also demonstrated by Western blot analysis of biotinylation/NeutrAvidin-bead-eluted surface proteins in cells preincubated at various [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that Cav1.3 channel trafficking is involved in glucose desensitization of pancreatic beta-cells.