Septins organize endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane junctions for STIM1-ORAI1 calcium signalling

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 25;9(1):10839. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46862-w.

Abstract

ORAI1 Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane (PM) are gated by STIM1 at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-PM junctions to effect store-dependent Ca2+ entry into cells, but little is known about how local STIM-ORAI signalling at junctions is coordinated with overall cellular architecture. Filamentous septins can specify cytoskeletal rearrangements and have been found recently to modulate STIM-ORAI signalling. Here we show by super-resolution imaging of ORAI1, STIM1, and septin 4 in living cells that septins facilitate Ca2+ signalling indirectly. Septin 4 does not colocalize preferentially with ORAI1 in resting or stimulated cells, assemble stably at ER-PM junctions, or specify a boundary that directs or confines ORAI1 to junctions. Rather, ORAI1 is recruited to junctions solely through interaction with STIM proteins, while septins regulate the number of ER-PM junctions and enhance STIM1-ORAI1 interactions within junctions. Thus septins communicate with STIM1 and ORAI1 through protein or lipid intermediaries, and are favorably positioned to coordinate Ca2+ signalling with rearrangements in cellular architecture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • ORAI1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Septins / metabolism*
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Septins
  • Calcium