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Gating and permeation of Orai channels

Isabella Derler1, Rainer Schindl, Reinhard Fritsch

  • 1Institute of Biophysics, University of Linz, A-4040 Linz, Austria. isabella.derler@jku.at

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|December 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Calcium release-activated calcium channels, involving STIM1 and Orai, control calcium influx crucial for T-cell activation. This review details their molecular mechanisms and interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels are essential for sustained calcium influx after endoplasmic reticulum store depletion.
  • This process is critical for cellular functions like T-cell activation and mast cell degranulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the STIM1/Orai signaling machinery.
  • To review additional proteins that modulate or interact with the STIM1/Orai1 system.
  • To explore the structure-function relationships of STIM1/Orai proteins in CRAC current regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of STIM1/Orai channel function.
  • Analysis of protein interactions and modulators.
  • Structure-function analysis of STIM1 and Orai proteins.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of the STIM1/Orai signaling cascade.
  • Identification of various proteins interacting with and modulating STIM1/Orai1.
  • Correlation of specific protein regions with channel activation, permeation, and inactivation.

Conclusions:

  • The STIM1/Orai machinery is a complex system governing calcium influx.
  • Understanding these molecular mechanisms and interactions is key to CRAC channel function.
  • Structure-function insights provide a basis for further research into channel regulation.

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