Calcineurin is downstream of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in the apoptotic and cell growth pathways

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R) is a calcium (Ca(2+)) release channel found on the endoplasmic reticulum of virtually all types of cells. Human T lymphocytes (Jurkat) that are made deficient in IP(3)R do not generate Ca(2+) signals in response to T cell receptor stimulation, fail to translocate the nuclear factor for activated T cells to the nucleus, and are remarkably resistant to induction of apoptosis with CD95 (Fas), dexamethasone, gamma irradiation, and T cell receptor stimulation using anti-CD3 antibody. Expression of constitutively active calcineurin A in IP(3)R-deficient T cells restored nuclear factor for activated T cells translocation to the nucleus and dephosphorylation of Bad and rendered the cells sensitive to apoptotic inducers. Induction of apoptosis required both active calcineurin A (DeltaCnA) and activation-dependent colocalization of CnA with its substrate. Thus, the Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CnA) is downstream of the IP(3)R in both the cell growth and apoptotic signaling pathways.