Sniffer cells for the detection of neural Angiotensin II in vitro.

Neuropeptide release in the brain has traditionally been difficult to observe. Existing methods lack temporal and spatial resolution that is consistent with the function and size of neurons. We use cultured "sniffer cells" to improve the temporal and spatial resolution of observing neuropeptide release. Sniffer cells were created by stably transfecting Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with plasmids encoding the rat angiotensin type 1a receptor and a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor. Isolated, cultured sniffer cells showed dose-dependent increases in fluorescence in response to exogenously applied angiotensin II and III, but not other common neurotransmitters. Sniffer cells placed on the median preoptic nucleus (a presumptive site of angiotensin release) displayed spontaneous activity and evoked responses to either electrical or optogenetic stimulation of the subfornical organ. Stable sniffer cell lines could be a viable method for detecting neuropeptide release in vitro, while still being able to distinguish differences in neuropeptide concentration.

Effects of salt-loading on supraoptic vasopressin neurones assessed by ClopHensorN chloride imaging.

Salt-loading (SL) impairs GABAA inhibition of arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. Based on previous studies, we hypothesised that SL activates tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), down-regulating the activity of K+ /Cl- co-transporter2 (KCC2) and up-regulating Na+ /K+ /Cl- co-transporter1 (NKCC1). These changes in chloride transport would result in increased [Cl- ]i in SON AVP neurones. The study combined virally-mediated chloride imaging with ClopHensorN with a single-cell western blot analysis. An adeno-associated virus with ClopHensorN and a vasopressin promoter (AAV2-0VP1-ClopHensorN) was bilaterally injected in the SON of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats that were either euhydrated (Eu) or salt-loaded (SL) for 7 days. Acutely dissociated SON neurones expressing ClopHensorN were tested for decreases or increases in [Cl- ]i in response to focal application of the GABAA agonist muscimol (100 µmol L-1 ). SON AVP neurones from Eu rats showed muscimol-induced chloride influx (P < 0.05;23/35). SON AVP neurones from SL rats either significantly increased chloride efflux (P < 0.05;27/39) or did not change chloride flux (12/39). The SON AVP neurones that responded to muscimol appeared to be viable and expressed KCC2 and ß-actin. Neurones that did not respond during chloride imaging did not show KCC2 and ß-actin protein expression. The KCC2 antagonist (VU0240551,10 µmol L-1 ) significantly blocked the chloride influx in cells from Eu rats but did not affect cells from SL rats. A NKCC1 antagonist (bumetanide,10 µmol L-1 ) significantly blocked the chloride efflux in cells from SL rats but had no effect on cells from Eu rats. Blocking NKCC1 using bumetanide had less of an effect on the muscimol-induced Cl- influx in Eu rat neurones compared to the KCC2 antagonist. The TrkB antagonist (AnA-12) (50 µmol L-1 ) and protein kinase inhibitor (K252a) (100 nmol L-1 ) each significantly blocked chloride efflux in SON AVP neurones from SL rats. Salt-loading increases [Cl- ]i in SON AVP neurones via a TrKB-KCC2-NKCC1-dependent mechanism in rats.

Homer binds to Orai1 and TRPC channels in the neointima and regulates vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.

The molecular components of store-operated Ca2+ influx channels (SOCs) in proliferative and migratory vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are quite intricate with many channels contributing to SOCs. They include the Ca2+-selective Orai1 and members of the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels, which are activated by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor STIM1. The scaffolding protein Homer assembles SOC complexes, but its role in VSMCs is not well understood. Here, we asked whether these SOC components and Homer1 are present in the same complex in VSMCs and how Homer1 contributes to VSMC SOCs, proliferation, and migration leading to neointima formation. Homer1 expression levels are upregulated in balloon-injured vs. uninjured VSMCs. Coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed the presence and interaction of all SOC components in the injured VSMCs, where Homer1 interacts with Orai1 and various TRPC channels. Accordingly, knockdown of Homer1 in cultured VSMCs partially inhibited SOCs, VSMC migration, and VSMC proliferation. Neointimal area was reduced after treatment with an adeno-associated viral vector expressing a short hairpin RNA against Homer1 mRNA (AAV-shHomer1). These findings stress the role of multiple Ca2+ influx channels in VSMCs and are the first to show the role of Homer proteins in VSMCs and its importance in neointima formation.

Molecular determinants mediating gating of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) channels by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1).

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels mediate a critical part of the receptor-evoked Ca(2+) influx. TRPCs are gated open by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor STIM1. Here we asked which stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and TRPC domains mediate the interaction between them and how this interaction is used to open the channels. We report that the STIM1 Orai1-activating region domain of STIM1 interacts with the TRPC channel coiled coil domains (CCDs) and that this interaction is essential for opening the channels by STIM1. Thus, disruption of the N-terminal (NT) CCDs by triple mutations eliminated TRPC surface localization and reduced binding of STIM1 to TRPC1 and TRPC5 while increasing binding to TRPC3 and TRPC6. Single mutations in TRPC1 NT or C-terminal (CT) CCDs reduced interaction and activation of TRPC1 by STIM1. Remarkably, single mutations in the TRPC3 NT CCD enhanced interaction and regulation by STIM1. Disruption in the TRPC3 CT CCD eliminated regulation by STIM1 and the enhanced interaction caused by NT CCD mutations. The NT CCD mutations converted TRPC3 from a TRPC1-dependent to a TRPC1-independent, STIM1-regulated channel. TRPC1 reduced the FRET between BFP-TRPC3 and TRPC3-YFP and between CFP-TRPC3-YFP upon stimulation. Accordingly, knockdown of TRPC1 made TRPC3 STIM1-independent. STIM1 dependence of TRPC3 was reconstituted by the TRPC1 CT CCD alone. Knockout of Trpc1 and Trpc3 similarly inhibited Ca(2+) influx, and inhibition of Trpc3 had no further effect on Ca(2+) influx in Trpc1(-/-) cells. Cell stimulation enhanced the formation of Trpc1-Stim1-Trpc3 complexes. These findings support a model in which the TRPC3 NT and CT CCDs interact to shield the CT CCD from interaction with STIM1. The TRPC1 CT CCD dissociates this interaction to allow the STIM1 Orai1-activating region within STIM1 access to the TRPC3 CT CCD and regulation of TRPC3 by STIM1. These studies provide evidence that the TRPC channel CCDs participate in channel gating.

The STIM1 CTID domain determines access of SARAF to SOAR to regulate Orai1 channel function.

Ca(2+) influx by store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCs) mediates all Ca(2+)-dependent cell functions, but excess Ca(2+) influx is highly toxic. The molecular components of SOC are the pore-forming Orai1 channel and the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor STIM1. Slow Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation (SCDI) of Orai1 guards against cell damage, but its molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we used homology modeling to identify a conserved STIM1(448-530) C-terminal inhibitory domain (CTID), whose deletion resulted in spontaneous clustering of STIM1 and full activation of Orai1 in the absence of store depletion. CTID regulated SCDI by determining access to and interaction of the STIM1 inhibitor SARAF with STIM1 Orai1 activation region (SOAR), the STIM1 domain that activates Orai1. CTID had two lobes, STIM1(448-490) and STIM1(490-530), with distinct roles in mediating access of SARAF to SOAR. The STIM1(448-490) lobe restricted, whereas the STIM1(490-530) lobe directed, SARAF to SOAR. The two lobes cooperated to determine the features of SCDI. These findings highlight the central role of STIM1 in SCDI and provide a molecular mechanism for SCDI of Orai1.

The Ca(2+) sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is necessary and sufficient for the store-operated Ca(2+) entry function of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 1 and 4 channels in endothelial cells.

We addressed the requirement for stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-sensor, and Orai1, a Ca(2+) selective channel, in regulating Ca(2+) entry through the store-operated channels mouse transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 4 or human TRPC1. Studies were made using murine and human lung endothelial cells (ECs) challenged with thrombin known to induce Ca(2+) entry via TRPC1/4. Deletion or knockdown of TRPC4 abolished Ca(2+) entry secondary to depletion of ER Ca(2+) stores, preventing the disruption of the endothelial barrier. Knockdown of STIM1 (but not of Orai1or Orai3) or expression of the dominant-negative STIM1(K684E-K685E) mutant in ECs also suppressed Ca(2+) entry secondary to store depletion. Ectopic expression of WT-STIM1 or WT-Orai1 in TRPC4(-/-)-ECs failed to rescue Ca(2+) entry; however, WT-TRPC4 expression in TRPC4(-/-)-ECs restored Ca(2+) entry indicating the requirement for TRPC4 in mediating store-operated Ca(2+) entry. Moreover, expression of the dominant-negative Orai1(R91W) mutant or Orai3(E81W) mutant in WT-ECs failed to prevent thrombin-induced Ca(2+) entry. In contrast, expression of the dominant-negative TRPC4(EE647-648KK) mutant in WT-ECs markedly reduced thrombin-induced Ca(2+) entry. In ECs expressing YFP-STIM1, ER-store Ca(2+) depletion induced formation of fluorescent membrane puncta in WT but not in TRPC4(-/-) cells, indicating that mobilization of STIM1 and engagement of its Ca(2+) sensing function required TRPC4 expression. Coimmunoprecipitation studies showed coupling of TRPC1 and TRPC4 with STIM1 on depletion of ER Ca(2+) stores. Thus, TRPC1 and TRPC4 can interact with STIM1 to form functional store-operated Ca(2+)-entry channels, which are essential for mediating Ca(2+) entry-dependent disruption of the endothelial barrier.

Canonical transient receptor potential channels in diabetes.

Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channel proteins have been identified as downstream molecules in a G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway and are involved in a variety of cell functions due to their ability to regulate intracellular calcium signaling. TRPC channel physiology has been an increasingly interesting and relevant topic over the last decade, and the outcomes from various studies have advanced our understanding of TRPC function in the normal state. Recently, attention has turned to whether or not TRPC proteins are implicated in diseases. Emerging evidence suggests a significant contribution of several isoforms of TRPC proteins to cardiovascular as well as renal diseases. This review focuses on the implication of TRPC proteins as they pertain to diabetes. We summarize the recent findings by other investigators as well as ourselves and additionally discuss the important role of TRPC proteins in the development of various diabetic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy and diabetic vasculopathy. The underlying mechanisms which contribute to these complications are also outlined. Lastly, we elaborate on the role of TRPC proteins as a potential therapeutic target for treating diabetes-associated diseases.

Opposite regulatory effects of TRPC1 and TRPC5 on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

The transient receptor potential (TRPC) family of Ca²âº permeable, non-selective cation channels is abundantly expressed in the brain, and can function as store-operated (SOC) and store-independent channels depending on their interaction with the ER Ca²âº sensor STIM1. TRPC1 and TRPC5 have critical roles in neurite outgrowth, however which of their functions regulate neurite outgrowth is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of TRPC channels and their STIM1-induced SOC activity on neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. We report that PC12 cell differentiation down-regulates TRPC5 expression, whereas TRPC1 expression is retained. TRPC1 and TRPC5 interact with STIM1 through the STIM1 ERM domain. Transfection of TRPC1 and TRPC5 increased the receptor-activated Ca²âº influx that was markedly augmented by the co-expression of STIM1. Topical expression of TRPC1 in PC12 cells markedly increased neurite outgrowth while that of TRPC5 suppressed neurite outgrowth. Suppression of neurite outgrowth by TRPC5 requires the channel function of TRPC5. However, strikingly, multiple lines of evidence show that the TRPC1-induced neurite outgrowth was independent of TRPC1-mediated Ca²âº influx. Thus, a) TRPC1 and TRPC5 similarly increased Ca²âº influx but only TRPC1 induced neurite outgrowth, b) the constitutively STIM1(D76A) mutant that activates Ca²âº influx by TRPC and Orai channels did not increase neurite outgrowth, c) co-expression of TRPC5 with TRPC1 suppressed the effect of TRPC1 on neurite outgrowth, d) and most notable, channel-dead pore mutant of TRPC1 increased neurite outgrowth to the same extent as TRPC1(WT). Suppression of TRPC1-induced neurite outgrowth by TRPC5 was due to a marked reduction in the surface expression of TRPC1. We conclude that the regulation of neurite outgrowth by TRPC1 is independent of Ca²âº influx and TRPC1-promoted neurite outgrowth depends on the surface expression of TRPC1. It is likely that TRPC1 acts as a scaffold at the cell surface to assemble a signaling complex to stimulate neurite outgrowth.

STIM1-dependent and STIM1-independent function of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels tunes their store-operated mode.

Ca(2+) influx by store-operated Ca(2+) channels is a key component of the receptor-evoked Ca(2+) signal. In all cells examined, transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels mediate a significant portion of the receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) influx. Recent studies have revealed how STIM1 activates TRPC1 in response to store depletion; however, the role of STIM1 in TRPC channel activation by receptor stimulation is not fully understood. Here, we established mutants of TRPC channels that could not be activated by STIM1 but were activated by the "charge-swap" mutant STIM1(K684E,K685E). Significantly, WT but not mutant TRPC channels were inhibited by scavenging STIM1 with Orai1(R91W), indicating the STIM1 dependence and independence of WT and mutant TRPC channels, respectively. Importantly, mutant TRPC channels were robustly activated by receptor stimulation. Moreover, STIM1 and STIM1(K684E,K685E) reciprocally affected receptor-activated WT and mutant TRPC channels. Together, these findings indicate that TRPC channels can function as STIM1-dependent and STIM1-independent channels, which increases the versatility of TRPC channel function and their role in receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) influx.

An endoplasmic reticulum/plasma membrane junction: STIM1/Orai1/TRPCs.

Ca(2+) entering cells through store-operated channels (SOCs) affects most cell functions, and excess SOC is associated with pathologies. The molecular makeup of SOCs and their mechanisms of gating were clarified with the discovery of the Orais and STIM1. Another form of SOCs are the TRPCs. STIM1 gates both Orai and TRPC channels but does so by different mechanisms. Although the STIM1 SOAR domain mediates the binding of STIM1 to both channel types, SOAR is sufficient to open the Orais but the STIM1 polylysine domain mediates opening of the TRPC channels. This short review discusses recent findings on how STIM1 gates and regulates the Orais and TRPCs, and how the STIM1/Orai1/TRPCs complexes may function in vivo to mediate SOC activity.

Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase FKBP52 controls chemotropic guidance of neuronal growth cones via regulation of TRPC1 channel opening.

Immunophilins, including FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), are protein chaperones with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity. Initially identified as pharmacological receptors for immunosuppressants to regulate immune responses via isomerase-independent mechanisms, FKBPs are most highly expressed in the nervous system, where their physiological function as isomerases remains unknown. We demonstrate that FKBP12 and FKBP52 catalyze cis/trans isomerization of regions of TRPC1 implicated in controlling channel opening. FKBP52 mediates stimulus-dependent TRPC1 gating through isomerization, which is required for chemotropic turning of neuronal growth cones to netrin-1 and myelin-associated glycoprotein and for netrin-1/DCC-dependent midline axon guidance of commissural interneurons in the developing spinal cord. By contrast, FKBP12 mediates spontaneous opening of TRPC1 through isomerization and is not required for growth cone responses to netrin-1. Our study demonstrates a novel physiological function of proline isomerases in chemotropic nerve guidance through TRPC1 gating and may have significant implication in clinical applications of immunophilin-related therapeutic drugs.

Molecular determinants of fast Ca2+-dependent inactivation and gating of the Orai channels.

Ca(2+) influx by store-operated Ca(2+) influx channels (SOCs) mediates many cellular functions regulated by Ca(2+), and excessive SOC-mediated Ca(2+) influx is cytotoxic and associated with disease. One form of SOC is the CRAC current that is mediated by Orai channels activated by STIM1. A fundamental property of the native CRAC and of the Orais is fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation, which limits Ca(2+) influx to guard against cellular damage. The molecular mechanism of this essential regulatory mechanism is unknown. We report here the fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation is mediated by three conserved glutamates in the C termini (CT) of Orai2 and Orai3, which show prominent fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation compared with Orai1. Transfer of the CT between the Orais transfers both the extent of channel opening and the mode of fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. Fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of the Orais also requires a domain of STIM1; fragments of STIM1 that efficiently open Orai channels do not evoke fast inactivation unless they include an anionic sequence that is C-terminal to the STIM1-Orai activating region (SOAR). Our studies suggest that Orai CT are necessary and sufficient to control pore opening and uncover the molecular mechanism of fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation that has implications for Ca(2+) influx by SOC in physiological and pathological states.

TRPC channels as STIM1-regulated SOCs.

Store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCs) are Ca(2+) influx channels at the plasma membrane whose opening is determined by the level of Ca(2+) stored in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. SOCs are activated in response to receptor-mediated or passive depletion of ER Ca(2+) to regulate many Ca(2+)-dependent cellular functions. Early work implicated the TRPC channels as SOCs. More recently, it was found that the Orai channels mediate the CRAC current and that the Ca(2+) binding protein STIM1 functions as the ER Ca(2+) sensor that mediates activation of the SOCs in response to depletion of ER Ca(2+). Key questions are whether both TRPC and Orai channels are opened by STIM1 and the molecular mechanism by which STIM1 opens the SOCs. Ample biochemical and functional evidence indicate interaction of the TRPC channels with STIM1. Furthermore, it was found that STIM1 gates TRPC channels by electrostatic interaction of STIM1(K684,K685) in the polybasic domain of STIM1 with two negative charges (aspartates or glutamates) that are conserved in all TRPC channels. Charge mutants of STIM1(K684,K685) and TRPC1(D639,D640) and TRPC3(D697,D698) were used to develop further direct evidence for the function of TRPC channels as SOCs. The evidence in favor of TRPC channels as SOCs are discussed.

SOAR and the polybasic STIM1 domains gate and regulate Orai channels.

Influx of Ca(2+) through store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCs) is a central component of receptor-evoked Ca(2+) signals. Orai channels are SOCs that are gated by STIM1, a Ca(2+) sensor located in the ER but how it gates and regulates the Orai channels is unknown. Here, we report the molecular basis for gating of Orais by STIM1. All Orai channels are fully activated by the conserved STIM1 amino acid fragment 344-442, which we termed SOAR (the STIM1 Orai activating region). SOAR acts in combination with STIM1 (450-485) to regulate the strength of interaction with Orai1. Activation of Orai1 by SOAR recapitulates all the kinetic properties of Orai1 activation by STIM1. However, mutations of STIM1 within SOAR prevent activation of Orai1 but not co-clustering of STIM1 and Orai1 in response to Ca(2+) store depletion, indicating that STIM1-Orai1 co-clustering is not sufficient for Orai1 activation. An intact carboxy terminus alpha-helicial region of Orai is required for activation by SOAR. Deleting most of the Orai1 amino terminus impaired Orai1 activation by STIM1, but Orai1(Delta1-73) interacted with and was fully activated by SOAR. Accordingly, the characteristic inward rectification of Orai is mediated by an interaction between the polybasic STIM1 (672-685) and a Pro-rich region in the N terminus of Orai1. Hence, the essential properties of Orai1 function can be rationalized by interactions with discrete regions of STIM1.

Native Store-operated Ca2+ Influx Requires the Channel Function of Orai1 and TRPC1.

With the discovery of STIM1 and Orai1 and gating of both TRPC and Orai1 channels by STIM1, a central question is the role of each of the channels in the native store-operated Ca(2+) influx (SOCs). Here, we used a strategy of knockdown of Orai1 and of TRPC1 alone and in combination and rescue by small interfering RNA-protected mutants (sm) of smOrai1 and smTRPC1 to demonstrate that in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, rescue of SOCs required co-transfection of low levels of both smOrai1 and smTRPC1. The pore mutant Orai1(E106Q) failed to rescue the SOCs in the presence or absence of TRPC1 and, surprisingly, the pore mutant TRPC1(F562A) failed to rescue the SOCs in the presence or absence of Orai1. TRPC1 is gated by electrostatic interaction between TRPC1(D639D,D640D) with STIM1(K684K, K685K). Strikingly, the channel-dead TRPC1(D639K,D640K) that can be rescued only by the STIM1(K684E,K685E) mutant could restore SOCs only when expressed with Orai1 and STIM1(K684E,K685E). Accordingly, we found a mutual requirement of Orai1 and TRPC1 for their interaction with the native STIM1 in HEK cells. By contrast, SOC and the CRAC current in Jurkat cells were inhibited by knockdown of Orai1 but were not influenced by knockdown on TRPC1 or TRPC3. These findings define the molecular makeup of the native SOCs in HEK cells and the role of a STIM1-Orai1-TRPC1 complex in SOC activity.

STIM1 gates TRPC channels, but not Orai1, by electrostatic interaction.

The receptor-evoked Ca(2+) signal includes activation of the store-operated channels (SOCs) TRPCs and the Orais. Although both are gated by STIM1, it is not known how STIM1 gates the channels and whether STIM1 gates the TRPCs and Orais by the same mechanism. Here, we report the molecular mechanism by which STIM1 gates TRPC1, which involves interaction between two conserved, negatively charged aspartates in TRPC1((639)DD(640)) with the positively charged STIM1((684)KK(685)) in STIM1 polybasic domain. Charge swapping and functional analysis revealed that exact orientation of the charges on TRPC1 and STIM1 are required, but all positive-negative charge combinations on TRPC1 and STIM1, except STIM1((684)EE(685))+TRPC1((639)RR(640)), are functional as long as they are reciprocal, indicating that STIM1 gates TRPC1 by intermolecular electrostatic interaction. Similar gating was observed with TRPC3((697)DD(698)). STIM1 gates Orai1 by a different mechanism since the polybasic and S/P domains of STIM1 are not required for activation of Orai1 by STIM1.

Homer proteins in Ca2+ signaling by excitable and non-excitable cells.

Homers are scaffolding proteins that bind Ca(2+) signaling proteins in cellular microdomains. The Homers participate in targeting and localization of Ca(2+) signaling proteins in signaling complexes. However, recent work showed that the Homers are not passive scaffolding proteins, but rather they regulate the activity of several proteins within the Ca(2+) signaling complex in an isoform-specific manner. Homer2 increases the GAP activity of RGS proteins and PLCbeta that accelerate the GTPase activity of Galpha subunits. Homer1 gates the activity of TRPC channels, controls the rates of their translocation and retrieval from the plasma membrane and mediates the conformational coupling between TRPC channels and IP(3)Rs. Homer1 stimulates the activity of the cardiac and neuronal L-type Ca(2+) channels Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.3. Homer1 also mediates the communication between the cardiac and smooth muscle ryanodine receptor RyR2 and Ca(v)1.2 to regulate E-C coupling. In many cases the Homers function as a buffer to reduce the intensity of Ca(2+) signaling and create a negative bias that can be reversed by the immediate early gene form of Homer1. Hence, the Homers should be viewed as the buffers of Ca(2+) signaling that ensure a high spatial and temporal fidelity of the Ca(2+) signaling and activation of downstream effects.

TRPC channels as STIM1-regulated store-operated channels.

Receptor-activated Ca(2+) influx is mediated largely by store-operated channels (SOCs). TRPC channels mediate a significant portion of the receptor-activated Ca(2+) influx. However, whether any of the TRPC channels function as a SOC remains controversial. Our understanding of the regulation of TRPC channels and their function as SOCs is being reshaped with the discovery of the role of STIM1 in the regulation of Ca(2+) influx channels. The findings that STIM1 is an ER resident Ca(2+) binding protein that regulates SOCs allow an expanded and molecular definition of SOCs. SOCs can be considered as channels that are regulated by STIM1 and require the clustering of STIM1 in response to depletion of the ER Ca(2+) stores and its translocation towards the plasma membrane. TRPC1 and other TRPC channels fulfill these criteria. STIM1 binds to TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC4 and TRPC5 but not to TRPC3, TRPC6 and TRPC7, and STIM1 regulates TRPC1 channel activity. Structure-function analysis reveals that the C-terminus of STIM1 contains the binding and gating function of STIM1. The ERM domain of STIM1 binds to TRPC channels and a lysine-rich region participates in the gating of SOCs and TRPC1. Knock-down of STIM1 by siRNA and prevention of its translocation to the plasma membrane inhibit the activity of native SOCs and TRPC1. These findings support the conclusion that TRPC1 is a SOC. Similar studies with other TRPC channels demonstrate their regulation by STIM1 and indicate that all TRPC channels, except TRPC7, function as SOCs.

STIM1 heteromultimerizes TRPC channels to determine their function as store-operated channels.

Stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) is a Ca(2+) sensor that conveys the Ca(2+) load of the endoplasmic reticulum to store-operated channels (SOCs) at the plasma membrane. Here, we report that STIM1 binds TRPC1, TRPC4 and TRPC5 and determines their function as SOCs. Inhibition of STIM1 function inhibits activation of TRPC5 by receptor stimulation, but not by La(3+), suggesting that STIM1 is obligatory for activation of TRPC channels by agonists, but STIM1 is not essential for channel function. Through a distinct mechanism, STIM1 also regulates TRPC3 and TRPC6. STIM1 does not bind TRPC3 and TRPC6, and regulates their function indirectly by mediating the heteromultimerization of TRPC3 with TRPC1 and TRPC6 with TRPC4. TRPC7 is not regulated by STIM1. We propose a new definition of SOCs, as channels that are regulated by STIM1 and require the store depletion-mediated clustering of STIM1. By this definition, all TRPC channels, except TRPC7, function as SOCs.

STIM1 carboxyl-terminus activates native SOC, I(crac) and TRPC1 channels.

Receptor-evoked Ca2+ signalling involves Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, followed by Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. Ca2+ influx is essential for many cellular functions, from secretion to transcription, and is mediated by Ca2+-release activated Ca2+ (I(crac)) channels and store-operated calcium entry (SOC) channels. Although the molecular identity and regulation of I(crac) and SOC channels have not been precisely determined, notable recent findings are the identification of STIM1, which has been indicated to regulate SOC and I(crac) channels by functioning as an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor, and ORAI1 (ref. 7) or CRACM1 (ref. 8)--both of which may function as I(crac) channels or as an I(crac) subunit. How STIM1 activates the Ca2+ influx channels and whether STIM1 contributes to the channel pore remains unknown. Here, we identify the structural features that are essential for STIM1-dependent activation of SOC and I(crac) channels, and demonstrate that they are identical to those involved in the binding and activation of TRPC1. Notably, the cytosolic carboxyl terminus of STIM1 is sufficient to activate SOC, I(crac) and TRPC1 channels even when native STIM1 is depleted by small interfering RNA. Activity of STIM1 requires an ERM domain, which mediates the selective binding of STIM1 to TRPC1, 2 and 4, but not to TRPC3, 6 or 7, and a cationic lysine-rich region, which is essential for gating of TRPC1. Deletion of either region in the constitutively active STIM1(D76A) yields dominant-negative mutants that block native SOC channels, expressed TRPC1 in HEK293 cells and I(crac) in Jurkat cells. These observations implicate STIM1 as a key regulator of activity rather than a channel component, and reveal similar regulation of SOC, I(crac) and TRPC channel activation by STIM1.