New insights into the activation mechanism of store-operated calcium channels: roles of STIM and Orai.
- Author:
Rui-wei GUO
1
;
Lan HUANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Calcium; metabolism; Calcium Channels; metabolism; Calcium Signaling; drug effects; Humans; Membrane Proteins; antagonists & inhibitors; metabolism; Protein Binding
- From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2008;9(8):591-601
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: The activation of Ca2+ entry through store-operated channels by agonists that deplete Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a ubiquitous signaling mechanism, the molecular basis of which has remained elusive for the past two decades. Store-operated Ca2+-release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels constitute the sole pathway for Ca2+ entry following antigen-receptor engagement. In a set of breakthrough studies over the past two years, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1, the ER Ca2+ sensor) and Orai1 (a pore-forming subunit of the CRAC channel) have been identified. Here we review these recent studies and the insights they provide into the mechanism of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCCs).
