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Review
. 2007 Aug;42(2):133-44.
doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2007.03.002. Epub 2007 May 7.

Molecular basis of the CRAC channel

Michael D Cahalan  1 , Shenyuan L Zhang, Andriy V Yeromin, Kari Ohlsen, Jack Roos, Kenneth A Stauderman
Affiliations
Review

Molecular basis of the CRAC channel

Michael D Cahalan et al. Cell Calcium. 2007 Aug.

Abstract

Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels, located in the plasma membrane, are opened upon release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores, permitting Ca(2+) entry and sustained [Ca(2+)](i) signaling that replenishes the store in numerous cell types. This mechanism is particularly important in T lymphocytes of the immune system, providing the missing link in the signal transduction cascade that is initiated by T cell receptor engagement and leads to altered expression of genes that results ultimately in the production of cytokines and cell proliferation. In the past three years, RNA interference screens together with over-expression and site-directed mutagenesis have identified the triggering molecule (Stim) that links store depletion to CRAC channel-mediated Ca(2+) influx and the pore subunit (Orai) of the CRAC channel that allows highly selective entry of Ca(2+) ions into cells.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ion channels and signaling pathways in T cells.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Candidate RNAi screening protocol.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Stim1 sequences and motifs.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Genome-wide RNAi screening protocol.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Fly and human Orai-related sequences and motifs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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