Lessons from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Transporters-A Cancer Connection

Xingjian Zhai; Andra Mihaela Sterea; Yassine El Hiani

doi:10.3390/cells9061536

Lessons from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca²⁺ Transporters-A Cancer Connection

Cells. 2020 Jun 24;9(6):1536. doi: 10.3390/cells9061536.

Authors

Xingjian Zhai¹, Andra Mihaela Sterea², Yassine El Hiani¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
² Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.

Abstract

Ca²⁺ is an integral mediator of intracellular signaling, impacting almost every aspect of cellular life. The Ca²⁺-conducting transporters located on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane shoulder the responsibility of constructing the global Ca²⁺ signaling landscape. These transporters gate the ER Ca²⁺ release and uptake, sculpt signaling duration and intensity, and compose the Ca²⁺ signaling rhythm to accommodate a plethora of biological activities. In this review, we explore the mechanisms of activation and functional regulation of ER Ca²⁺ transporters in the establishment of Ca²⁺ homeostasis. We also contextualize the aberrant alterations of these transporters in carcinogenesis, presenting Ca²⁺-based therapeutic interventions as a means to tackle malignancies.

Keywords: Endoplasmic Reticulum; IP3R; RyR; SERCA; STIM/Orai; calcium.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Calcium / metabolism*
Calcium Signaling / genetics*
Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
Humans

Substances

Calcium