[Frontiers in Bioscience E4, 331-341, January 1, 2012]

STIM and Orai in cellular proliferation and division

Raphael Courjaret1, Khaled Machaca1

1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Ca2+ signaling and cellular proliferation
3. Diversity of Ca2+ signaling
4. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (soce)
5. STIM1 and Orai1 during the cell cycle
6. STIM and Orai loss of function in animal models and humans
7. Vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells
8. Cancer cells
9. Perspectives
10. Acknowledgments
11. References

1. ABSTRACT

Cellular proliferation and division are central processes in the development, survival and evolution of living systems. Transitioning into the cell division phase of the cell cycle encompasses dramatic remodeling of cellular organelles and signaling modules including Ca2+ signaling. As well, Ca2+ signals play important roles during progression through various stages of the cell cycle. A ubiquitous Ca2+ influx pathway that is activated based on intracellular Ca2+ store content is store-operated Ca2+ entry (soce). SOCE is activated through a complex interplay between a Ca2+ channel at the cell membrane, Orai1, and a Ca2+ sensor that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, STIM1. Herein, we discuss potential roles and regulation of STIM and Orai proteins during cellular proliferation.