STIM1/Orai1-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry: the tip of the iceberg

Highly efficient mechanisms regulate intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels. The recent discovery of new components linking intracellular Ca2+ stores to plasma membrane Ca2+ entry channels has brought new insight into the understanding of Ca2+ homeostasis. Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) was ide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBrazilian journal of medical and biological research Vol. 44; no. 11; pp. 1080 - 1087
Main Authors F.R. Giachini, V.V. Lima, J.L. Hannan, F.S. Carneiro, R.C. Webb, R.C. Tostes
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 01.11.2011
Subjects
Ca2+ influx
Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel
Intracellular Ca2+ store
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
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Summary:Highly efficient mechanisms regulate intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels. The recent discovery of new components linking intracellular Ca2+ stores to plasma membrane Ca2+ entry channels has brought new insight into the understanding of Ca2+ homeostasis. Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) was identified as a Ca2+ sensor essential for Ca2+ store depletion-triggered Ca2+ influx. Orai1 was recognized as being an essential component for the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. Together, these proteins participate in store-operated Ca2+ channel function. Defective regulation of intracellular Ca2+ is a hallmark of several diseases. In this review, we focus on Ca2+ regulation by the STIM1/Orai1 pathway and review evidence that implicates STIM1/Orai1 in several pathological conditions including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, among others.
ISSN:1414-431X
DOI:10.1590/S0100-879X2011001100002