Glu¹⁰⁶ in the Orai1 pore contributes to fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation and pH dependence of Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) current

Biochem J. 2012 Jan 15;441(2):743-53. doi: 10.1042/BJ20110558.

Abstract

FCDI (fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation) is a mechanism that limits Ca²⁺ entry through Ca²⁺ channels, including CRAC (Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺) channels. This phenomenon occurs when the Ca²⁺ concentration rises beyond a certain level in the vicinity of the intracellular mouth of the channel pore. In CRAC channels, several regions of the pore-forming protein Orai1, and STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1), the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ sensor that communicates the Ca²⁺ load of the intracellular stores to Orai1, have been shown to regulate fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation. Although significant advances in unravelling the mechanisms of CRAC channel gating have occurred, the mechanisms regulating fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation in this channel are not well understood. We have identified that a pore mutation, E106D Orai1, changes the kinetics and voltage dependence of the ICRAC (CRAC current), and the selectivity of the Ca²⁺-binding site that regulates fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation, whereas the V102I and E190Q mutants when expressed at appropriate ratios with STIM1 have fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation similar to that of WT (wild-type) Orai1. Unexpectedly, the E106D mutation also changes the pH dependence of ICRAC. Unlike WT ICRAC, E106D-mediated current is not inhibited at low pH, but instead the block of Na⁺ permeation through the E106D Orai1 pore by Ca²⁺ is diminished. These results suggest that Glu¹⁰⁶ inside the CRAC channel pore is involved in co-ordinating the Ca²⁺-binding site that mediates fast Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Glutamic Acid / physiology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Rats
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Orai1 protein, rat
  • STIM1 protein, human
  • Stim1 protein, rat
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Calcium