Defects in the STIM1 SOARα2 domain affect multiple steps in the CRAC channel activation cascade

The calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel consists of STIM1, a Ca²⁺ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and Orai1, the Ca²⁺ ion channel in the plasma membrane. Ca²⁺ store depletion triggers conformational changes and oligomerization of STIM1 proteins and their direct interaction with Orai1. Structural alterations include the transition of STIM1 C-terminus from a folded to an extended conformation thereby exposing CAD (CRAC activation domain)/SOAR (STIM1-Orai1 activation region) for coupling to Orai1. In this study, we discovered that different point mutations of F394 in the small alpha helical segment (STIM1 α2) within the CAD/SOAR apex entail a rich plethora of effects on diverse STIM1 activation steps. An alanine substitution (STIM1 F394A) destabilized the STIM1 quiescent state, as evident from its constitutive activity. Single point mutation to hydrophilic, charged amino acids (STIM1 F394D, STIM1 F394K) impaired STIM1 homomerization and subsequent Orai1 activation. MD simulations suggest that their loss of homomerization may arise from altered formation of the CC1α1-SOAR/CAD interface and potential electrostatic interactions with lipid headgroups in the ER membrane. Consistent with these findings, we provide experimental evidence that the perturbing effects of F394D depend on the distance of the apex from the ER membrane. Taken together, our results suggest that the CAD/SOAR apex is in the immediate vicinity of the ER membrane in the STIM1 quiescent state and that different mutations therein can impact the STIM1/Orai1 activation cascade in various manners. Legend: Upon intracellular Ca²⁺ store depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Ca²⁺ dissociates from STIM1. As a result, STIM1 adopts an elongated conformation and elicits Ca²⁺ influx from the extracellular matrix (EM) into the cell due to binding to and activation of Ca²⁺-selective Orai1 channels (left). The effects of three point mutations within the SOARα2 domain highlight the manifold roles of this region in the STIM1/Orai1 activation cascade: STIM1 F394A is active irrespective of the intracellular ER Ca²⁺ store level, but activates Orai1 channels to a reduced extent (middle). On the other hand, STIM1 F394D/K cannot adopt an elongated conformation upon Ca²⁺ store-depletion due to altered formation of the CC1α1-SOAR/CAD interface and/or electrostatic interaction of the respective side-chain charge with corresponding opposite charges on lipid headgroups in the ER membrane (right).