Cab45S promotes cell proliferation through SERCA2b inhibition and Ca2+ signaling

Cytosolic Ca(2+), closely related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+), plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, the role of ER lumen proteins in regulating cytosolic Ca(2+) level remains poorly understood. Here, we find that the Cab45S, localizes in the ER lumen, inhibits sarco/ER Ca(2+)-ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) activity through its first EF-hand domain directly binding to the intra-lumenal loop 4 of SERCA2b, and reduces ER Ca(2+). STIM1 activation, induced by the Cab45S-dependent drop in ER Ca(2+), together with the upregulation of the plasma membrane Ca(2+) channel TRPC1 ultimately increases extracellular Ca(2+) influx. Furthermore, increased cytosolic Ca(2+) level elicits Ca(2+)-NFAT signaling and promotes cell proliferation. Consistently, in cervical carcinoma patients, Cab45S is upregulated. Thus, our data reveal that the ability of Cab45S to inhibit SERCA2b activity is crucial for its role as a modulator of cell proliferation and tumor growth.