STIM is a Ca2+ sensor essential for Ca2+-store-depletion-triggered Ca2+ influx

Ca(2+) signaling in nonexcitable cells is typically initiated by receptor-triggered production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. An elusive signaling process senses the Ca(2+) store depletion and triggers the opening of plasma membrane Ca(2+) channels. The resulting sustained Ca(2+) signals are required for many physiological responses, such as T cell activation and differentiation. Here, we monitored receptor-triggered Ca(2+) signals in cells transfected with siRNAs against 2,304 human signaling proteins, and we identified two proteins required for Ca(2+)-store-depletion-mediated Ca(2+) influx, STIM1 and STIM2. These proteins have a single transmembrane region with a putative Ca(2+) binding domain in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ca(2+) store depletion led to a rapid translocation of STIM1 into puncta that accumulated near the plasma membrane. Introducing a point mutation in the STIM1 Ca(2+) binding domain resulted in prelocalization of the protein in puncta, and this mutant failed to respond to store depletion. Our study suggests that STIM proteins function as Ca(2+) store sensors in the signaling pathway connecting Ca(2+) store depletion to Ca(2+) influx.     

A kinetic model for Ca2+ efflux mediated by the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

We present a model for Ca2+ efflux from vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). It is proposed that efflux is mediated by the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase that is responsible for Ca2+ uptake in this system. In the normal ATPase cycle of the ATPase, phosphorylation of the ATPase is followed by a conformational change in which the Ca2+-binding sites change from being outward-facing and of high affinity to being inward-facing and of low affinity. To mediate Ca2+ efflux, it is proposed that the ATPase can adopt a conformation in which the Ca2+-binding sites are of low affinity but still outward-facing. It is shown that experimental data on the rates of Ca2+ efflux can be simulated in terms of this model, with Ca2+-binding-site affinities previously proposed to explain ATPase activity [Gould, East, Froud, McWhirter, Stefanova & Lee (1986) Biochem. J. 237, 217-227]. Effects of Mg2+ and adenine nucleotides on efflux rates are explained. It is suggested that Ca2+ efflux from SR mediated by the ATPase could be important in excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.     

A kinetic model for the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum exhibits complex kinetics of activation with respect to ATP. ATPase activity is pH-dependent, with similar pH-activity profiles at high and low concentrations of ATP. Low concentrations of Ca2+ in the micromolar range activate the ATPase, whereas activity is inhibited by Ca2+ at millimolar concentrations. The pH-dependence of this Ca2+ inhibition and the effect of the detergent C12E8 (dodecyl octaethylene glycol monoether) on Ca2+ inhibition are similar to those observed on activation by low concentrations of Ca2+. On the basis of these and other studies we present a kinetic model for the ATPase. The ATPase is postulated to exist in one of two conformations: a conformation (E1) of high affinity for Ca2+ and MgATP and a conformation (E2) of low affinity for Ca2+ and MgATP. Ca2+ binding to E2 and to the phosphorylated form E2P are equal. Proton binding at the Ca2+-binding sites in the E1 and E2 conformations explains the pH-dependence of Ca2+ effects. Binding of MgATP to the phosphorylated intermediate E1'PCa2 and to E2 modulate the rates of the transport step E1'PCa-E2'PCa2 and the return of the empty Ca2+ sites to the outside surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as well as the rate of dephosphorylation of E2P. Only a single binding site for MgATP is postulated.     

Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent facilitation and Ca2+ inactivation of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels

In non-excitable cells, one major route for Ca2+ influx is through store-operated Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. These channels are activated by the emptying of intracellular Ca2+ stores, and in some cell types store-operated influx occurs through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. Here, we report that intracellular Ca2+ modulates CRAC channel activity through both positive and negative feedback steps in RBL-1 cells. Under conditions in which cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration can fluctuate freely, we find that store-operated Ca2+ entry is impaired either following overexpression of a dominant negative calmodulin mutant or following whole-cell dialysis with a calmodulin inhibitory peptide. The peptide had no inhibitory effect when intracellular Ca2+ was buffered strongly at low levels. Hence, Ca2+-calmodulin is not required for the activation of CRAC channels per se but is an important regulator under physiological conditions. We also find that the plasma membrane Ca2+ATPase is the dominant Ca2+ efflux pathway in these cells. Although the activity of the Ca2+ pump is regulated by calmodulin, the store-operated Ca2+ entry is more sensitive to inhibition by the calmodulin mutant than by Ca2+ extrusion. Hence, these two plasmalemmal Ca2+ transport systems may differ in their sensitivities to endogenous calmodulin. Following the activation of Ca2+ entry, the rise in intracellular Ca2+ subsequently feeds back to further inhibit Ca2+ influx. This slow inactivation can be activated by a relatively brief Ca2+ influx (30-60 s); it reverses slowly and is not altered by overexpression of the calmodulin mutant. Hence, the same messenger, intracellular Ca2+, can both facilitate and inactivate Ca2+ entry through store-operated CRAC channels and through different mechanisms.     

A chalcone-based fluorescent chemosensor for detecting Mg2+ and Cd2+

SBOD (sodium (E)-2-(3-[5-bromothiophen-2-yl]-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-4,6-dichlorophenolate) was designed and synthesized as a chalcone-based fluorescent turn-on chemosensor for Mg²⁺ and Cd²⁺. SBOD selectively detected Mg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ through the increase in effective fluorescence. Detection limits of SBOD for Mg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were calculated to be 3.8 μM and 2.9 μM, respectively. The binding modes of SBOD for Mg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were determined to be 1:1 by ESI-MS and Job plot. Association mechanisms for SBOD to Mg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were illustrated by ESI-MS, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and calculations.     

Characterization by Hg2+ of two different pathways for mitochondrial Ca2+ release

The addition of Hg2+ to loaded kidney mitochondria induces the fast release of the accumulated cation. The Ca2+-efflux reaction exhibits kinetics characteristics that depend on the extent of the binding of Hg2+ to the membrane. At high levels of Hg2+ bound (approx. 11 nmol/mg), Ca2+ efflux rate is highly insensitive to the temperature of incubation, and the efflux seems to be directly related to the internal free Ca2+ concentration. At these levels of bound Hg2+, accumulated Sr2+ is released with characteristics similar to those observed with Ca2+. At lower levels of Hg2+ binding (2.5 nmol/mg), the efflux reaction is highly dependent on the incubation temperature and on the internal free Ca2+ concentration; under these conditions Sr2+ is not released. NAD(P)H oxidation as induced by the low Hg2+ concentration is inhibited at the lower temperatures. Radiolabeled Hg2+ incorporates into two clearly defined regions of membrane proteins separated through sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. One of the regions corresponds to proteins of apparent high molecular mass (i.e., 150 kDa), and the other to proteins with apparent molecular masses of 37-25 kDa. Mitochondria incubated with 2 microM 203Hg2+ incorporate the radionuclide in proteins that have molecular masses of around 41 and 26 kDa. The results indicate that, depending on the amount of Hg2+ bound to the inner membrane, two clearly distinct Ca2+ release mechanisms can be distinguished.     

A model for the phosphorylation of the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase by phosphate.

We have shown that changes in fluorescence intensity for the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate following the addition of Ca2+ can give the ratio of the two conformations (E1 and E2) of the ATPase. We show that the fluorescence response to Ca2+ is unaffected by Mg2+, phosphate or K+, implying that these ions bind equally well to the E1 and E2 conformations. A model is presented for phosphorylation of the ATPase by phosphate as a function of pH, Mg2+, K+ and Ca2+.     

Ca2+ modulation of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels is responsible for the inactivation of its monovalent cation current

The Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel is the most well documented of the store-operated ion channels that are widely expressed and are involved in many important biological processes. However, the regulation of the CRAC channel by intracellular or extracellular messengers as well as its molecular identity is largely unknown. Specifically, in the absence of extracellular divalent cations it becomes permeable to monovalent cations with a larger conductance, however this monovalent cation current inactivates rapidly by an unknown mechanism. Here we found that Ca(2+) dissociation from a site on the extracellular side of the CRAC channel is responsible for the inactivation of its Na(+) current, and Ca(2+) occupancy of this site otherwise potentiates its Ca(2+) as well as Na(+) currents. This Ca(2+)-dependent potentiation is required for the normal functioning of CRAC channels.     

A sugar-aza-crown ether-based fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions

A sugar-aza-crown ether (SAC)-based fluorescent sensor 4 was prepared. It contains a pyrene as the fluorophore and its fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensor 4 exhibits highly selective recognition toward Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions among a series of tested metal ions in methanol solution. The association constants for 4*Cu(2+) and 4*Hg(2+) in methanol solution were calculated to be 7.4×10(1)M(-1) and 4.4×10(3)M(-1), respectively. Chemosensor 4 formed complexes with the Cu(2+) or Hg(2+) ion at a 1:1 ligand-to-metal ratio with a detection limit of 1.3×10(-4)M Cu(2+) and 1.26×10(-5)MHg(2+), respectively.     

Sustained Ca2+ transfer across mitochondria is Essential for mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering,sore-operated Ca2+ entry,and Ca2+ store refilling

Mitochondria have been found to sequester and release Ca2+ during cell stimulation with inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-generating agonists, thereby generating subplasmalemmal microdomains of low Ca2+ that sustain activity of capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE). Procedures that prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake inhibit local Ca2+ buffering and CCE, but it is not clear whether Ca2+ has to transit through or remains trapped in the mitochondria. Thus, we analyzed the contribution of mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux on the ability of mitochondria to buffer subplasmalemmal Ca2+, to maintain CCE, and to facilitate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) refilling in endothelial cells. Upon the addition of histamine, the initial mitochondrial Ca2+ transient, monitored with ratio-metric-pericam-mitochondria, was largely independent of extracellular Ca2+. However, subsequent removal of extracellular Ca2+ produced a reversible decrease in [Ca2+]mito, indicating that Ca2+ was continuously taken up and released by mitochondria, although [Ca2+]mito had returned to basal levels. Accordingly, inhibition of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger with CGP 37157 increased [Ca2+]mito and abolished the ability of mitochondria to buffer subplasmalemmal Ca2+, resulting in an increased activity of BKCa channels and a decrease in CCE. Hence, CGP 37157 also reversibly inhibited ER refilling during cell stimulation. These effects of CGP 37157 were mimicked if mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was prevented with oligomycin/antimycin A. Thus, during cell stimulation a continuous Ca2+ flux through mitochondria underlies the ability of mitochondria to generate subplasmalemmal microdomains of low Ca2+, to facilitate CCE, and to relay Ca2+ from the plasma membrane to the ER.     

Demand for Zn2+ in acid-secreting gastric mucosa and its requirement for intracellular Ca2+

Background and Aims

Recent work has suggested that Zn²⁺ plays a critical role in regulating acidity within the secretory compartments of isolated gastric glands. Here, we investigate the content, distribution and demand for Zn²⁺ in gastric mucosa under baseline conditions and its regulation during secretory stimulation.

Methods and Findings

Content and distribution of zinc were evaluated in sections of whole gastric mucosa using X-ray fluorescence microscopy. Significant stores of Zn²⁺ were identified in neural elements of the muscularis, glandular areas enriched in parietal cells, and apical regions of the surface epithelium. In in vivo studies, extraction of the low abundance isotope, ⁷⁰Zn²⁺, from the circulation was demonstrated in samples of mucosal tissue 24 hours or 72 hours after infusion (250 µg/kg). In in vitro studies, uptake of ⁷⁰Zn²⁺ from media was demonstrated in isolated rabbit gastric glands following exposure to concentrations as low as 10 nM. In additional studies, demand of individual gastric parietal cells for Zn²⁺ was monitored using the fluorescent zinc reporter, fluozin-3, by measuring increases in free intracellular concentrations of Zn²⁺ {[Zn²⁺]_i} during exposure to standard extracellular concentrations of Zn²⁺ (10 µM) for standard intervals of time. Under resting conditions, demand for extracellular Zn²⁺ increased with exposure to secretagogues (forskolin, carbachol/histamine) and under conditions associated with increased intracellular Ca²⁺ {[Ca²⁺]_i}. Uptake of Zn²⁺ was abolished following removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ or depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, suggesting that demand for extracellular Zn²⁺ increases and depends on influx of extracellular Ca²⁺.

Conclusions

This study is the first to characterize the content and distribution of Zn²⁺ in an organ of the gastrointestinal tract. Our findings offer the novel interpretation, that Ca²⁺ integrates basolateral demand for Zn²⁺ with stimulation of secretion of HCl into the lumen of the gastric gland. Similar connections may be detectable in other secretory cells and tissues.     

Dependence of Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange on monovalent cations

Two mechanisms of passive Ca2+ transport, Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange, were studied using highly-purified dog heart sarcolemmal vesicles. About 80% of the Ca2+ accumulated by Na+-Ca2+ exchange or Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange could be released as free Ca2+, while up to 20% was probably bound. Na+-Ca2+ exchange was simultaneous, coupled countertransport of Na+ and Ca2+. The movement of anions during Na+-Ca2+ exchange did not limit the initial rate of Na+-Ca2+ exchange. Na+-Ca2+ exchange was electrogenic, with a reversal potential of about -105 mV. The apparent flux ratio of Na+-Ca2+ exchange was 4 Na+:1 Ca2+. Coupled cation countertransport by the Na+-Ca2+ exchange mechanism required a monovalent cation gradient with the following sequence of ion activation: Na+ much greater than Li+ greater than Cs+ greater than K+ greater than Rb+. In contrast to Na+-Ca2+ exchange, Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange did not require a monovalent cation gradient, but required the presence of Ca2+ plus a monovalent cation on both sides of the vesicle membrane. The sequence of ion activation of Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange was: K+ much greater than Rb+ greater than Na+ greater than Li+ greater than Cs+. Na+ inhibited Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange when Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange was supported by another monovalent cation. Both Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange were inhibited, but with different sensitivities, by external MgCl2, quinidine, or verapamil.     

Divergence of Ca2+ selectivity and equilibrium Ca2+ blockade in a Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel

Prevailing models postulate that high Ca²⁺ selectivity of Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels arises from tight Ca²⁺ binding to a high affinity site within the pore, thereby blocking monovalent ion flux. Here, we examined the contribution of high affinity Ca²⁺ binding for Ca²⁺ selectivity in recombinant Orai3 channels, which function as highly Ca²⁺-selective channels when gated by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ sensor STIM1 or as poorly Ca²⁺-selective channels when activated by the small molecule 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB). Extracellular Ca²⁺ blocked Na⁺ currents in both gating modes with a similar inhibition constant (K_i; ∼25 µM). Thus, equilibrium binding as set by the K_i of Ca²⁺ blockade cannot explain the differing Ca²⁺ selectivity of the two gating modes. Unlike STIM1-gated channels, Ca²⁺ blockade in 2-APB–gated channels depended on the extracellular Na⁺ concentration and exhibited an anomalously steep voltage dependence, consistent with enhanced Na⁺ pore occupancy. Moreover, the second-order rate constants of Ca²⁺ blockade were eightfold faster in 2-APB–gated channels than in STIM1-gated channels. A four-barrier, three–binding site Eyring model indicated that lowering the entry and exit energy barriers for Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ to simulate the faster rate constants of 2-APB–gated channels qualitatively reproduces their low Ca²⁺ selectivity, suggesting that ion entry and exit rates strongly affect Ca²⁺ selectivity. Noise analysis indicated that the unitary Na⁺ conductance of 2-APB–gated channels is fourfold larger than that of STIM1-gated channels, but both modes of gating show a high open probability (P_o; ∼0.7). The increase in current noise during channel activation was consistent with stepwise recruitment of closed channels to a high P_o state in both cases, suggesting that the underlying gating mechanisms are operationally similar in the two gating modes. These results suggest that both high affinity Ca²⁺ binding and kinetic factors contribute to high Ca²⁺ selectivity in CRAC channels.     

Residues important for K+ ion transport in the K+-dependent Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCKX2)

K⁺-dependent Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCKXs) play an important role in Ca²⁺ homeostasis in many tissues. NCKX proteins are bi-directional plasma membrane Ca²⁺-transporters which utilize the inward Na⁺ and outward K⁺ gradients to move Ca²⁺ ions into and out of the cytosol (4Na⁺:1Ca²⁺ + 1 K⁺). In this study, we carried out scanning mutagenesis of all the residues of the highly conserved α-1 and α-2 repeats of NCKX2 to identify residues important for K⁺ transport. These structural elements are thought to be critical for cation transport. Using fluorescent intracellular Ca²⁺-indicating dyes, we measured the K⁺ dependence of transport carried out by wildtype or mutant NCKX2 proteins expressed in HEK293 cells and analyzed shifts in the apparent binding affinity (K_m) of mutant proteins in comparison with the wildtype exchanger. Of the 93 residue substitutions tested, 34 were found to show a significant shift in the external K⁺ ion dependence of which 16 showed an increased affinity to K⁺ ions and 18 showed a decreased affinity and hence are believed to be important for K⁺ ion binding and transport. We also identified 8 residue substitutions that resulted in a partial loss of K⁺ dependence. Our biochemical data provide strong support for the cation binding sites identified in a homology model of NCKX2 based on crystal structures reported for distantly related archaeal Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger NCX_Mj. In addition, we compare our results here with our previous studies that report on residues important for Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ binding. Supported by CIHR MOP-81327.