During their differentiation, osteoblasts sequentially express type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin, and then undergo mineral deposition. Among dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers, only benidipine stimulated ALP activity of osteoblastic cells derived from neonatal mouse calvaria. To identify the molecular target of benidipine and elucidate the mechanism of action of the drug in osteoblasts, the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 was used. Benidipine prompted ALP activity and ALP transcription induced by ascorbic acid, and mineral deposition by ascorbic acid and b-glycerophosphate. Benidipine, however, did not change collagen accumulation. MC3T3-E1 cells expressed the L-type Ca channel a1C subunit throughout the differentiation process, and Ca influx by potassium ions and Bay K 8644, an agonist, was strongly attenuated by benidipine. Each one of three structurally different classes of Ca channel blockers, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem stimulated ALP activity, although at much higher concentrations of ca. 100 nM than benidipine, 1 pM. These results suggest that benidipine directly exerts its effect on osteoblasts and promotes osteoblast differentiation after the step of collagen accumulation by blocking the L-type Ca channel. Since benidipine blocked Ca influx more potently than the three other Ca channel blockers, the unique and potent osteoblast differentiating ability of benidipine may be due to its high affinity for Ca channel together with its high membrane retaining ability, as has been previously reported.