Activation Of Store-operated Channels Research Articles

Novel Role of Cold/Menthol-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Melastatine Family Member 8 (TRPM8) in the Activation of Store-operated Channels in LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Epithelial Cells

Recent cloning of a cold/menthol-sensitive TRPM8 channel (transient receptor potential melastatine family member 8) from rodent sensory neurons has provided the molecular basis for the cold sensation. Surprisingly, the human orthologue of rodent TRPM8 also appears to be strongly expressed in the prostate and in the prostate cancer-derived epithelial cell line, LNCaP. In this study, we show that despite such expression, LNCaP cells respond to cold/menthol stimulus by membrane current (I(cold/menthol)) that shows inward rectification and high Ca(2+) selectivity, which are dramatically different properties from "classical" TRPM8-mediated I(cold/menthol). Yet, silencing of endogenous TRPM8 mRNA by either antisense or siRNA strategies suppresses both I(cold/menthol) and TRPM8 protein in LNCaP cells. We demonstrate that these puzzling results arise from TRPM8 localization not in the plasma, but in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane of LNCaP cells, where it supports cold/menthol/icilin-induced Ca(2+) release from the ER with concomitant activation of plasma membrane (PM) store-operated channels (SOC). In contrast, GFP-tagged TRPM8 heterologously expressed in HEK-293 cells target the PM. We also demonstrate that TRPM8 expression and the magnitude of SOC current associated with it are androgen-dependent. Our results suggest that the TRPM8 may be an important new ER Ca(2+) release channel, potentially involved in a number of Ca(2+)- and store-dependent processes in prostate cancer epithelial cells, including those that are important for prostate carcinogenesis, such as proliferation and apoptosis.

TRPC4 Knockdown Suppresses Epidermal Growth Factor-induced Store-operated Channel Activation and Growth in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in corneal epithelial cells stimulates proliferation by inducing capacitative calcium entry (CCE). However, neither the identity nor the mechanism of activation of the plasma membrane influx pathway that mediates CCE is known. Accordingly, we determined, in human corneal epithelial cells, whether or not (i) CCE is dependent upon stimulation of storeoperated channel (SOC) activity, (ii) the canonical transient receptor potential (TRP) protein isoform TRPC4 is a component of such channels, and (iii) suppression of TRPC4 protein expression decreases EGF-induced stimulation of SOC activity and proliferation. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to monitor TRPC4-mediated stimulation of SOC activity following intracellular calcium store depletion and induction of CCE. TRPC4 small interfering RNA transfection suppressed TRPC4 protein expression. Reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to assess knockdown efficiency of mRNA and protein expression. [(3)H]Thymidine incorporation was used to evaluate EGF-in-duced mitogenesis. Ca(2+) transients were measured by single-cell fluorescence imaging. TRPC4 knockdown decreased mRNA and protein expression by 89 and 87%, respectively. In these cells, EGF-induced SOC activation elicited by intracellular calcium store depletion was obviated; 2) EGF-induced CCE fell by 76%; 3) EGF-induced stimulation of SOC activity was eliminated; and 4) EGF-induced increases in proliferation fell by 54%. Thus, TRPC4 is a component of SOC in human corneal epithelial cells whose activation by EGF is requisite for an optimum mitogenic response to this growth factor.

CIF and other mysteries of the store-operated Ca 2+-entry pathway

The molecular mechanism of the store-operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE) pathway remains one of the most intriguing and long lasting mysteries of Ca2+ signaling. The elusive calcium influx factor (CIF) that is produced upon depletion of Ca2+ stores has attracted growing attention, triggered by new discoveries that filled the gap in the chain of reactions leading to activation of store-operated channels and Ca2+ entry. Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 emerged as a target of CIF, and a major determinant of the SOCE mechanism. Here, we present our viewpoint on CIF and conformational-coupling models of SOCE from a historical perspective, trying to resolve some of the problem areas, and summarizing our present knowledge on how depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores signals to plasma membrane channels to open and provide Ca2+ influx that is required for many important physiological functions.

Phospholipase Cγ1 Is Required for Activation of Store-Operated Channels in Human Keratinocytes

Store-operated calcium entry depicts the movement of extracellular Ca2+ into cells through plasma membrane Ca2+ channels activated by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The members of the canonical subfamily of transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) have been implicated as the molecular bases for store-operated channels (SOC). Here we investigate the role of phospholipase C (PLC) in regulation of native SOC and the expression of endogenous TRPC in human epidermal keratinocytes. Calcium entry in response to store depletion with thapsigargin was reversibly blocked by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borane, an effective SOC inhibitor, and suppressed by the diacylglycerol analoge, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol. Inhibition of PLC with U73122 or transfection of a PLCgamma1 antisense cDNA construct completely blocked SOC activity, indicating a requirement for PLC, especially PLCgamma1, in the activation of SOC. RT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses showed that TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, and TRPC6 are expressed in keratinocytes. Knockdown of the level of endogenous TRPC1 or TRPC4 inhibited store-operated calcium entry, indicating they are part of the native SOC. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that TRPC1, but not TRPC4, interacts with PLCgamma1 and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). The association of TRPC1 with PLCgamma1 and IP3R decreased in keratinocytes with higher intracellular Ca2+, coinciding with a downregulation in SOC activity. Our results indicate that the activation of SOC in keratinocytes depends, at least partly, on the interaction of TRPC with PLCgamma1 and IP3R.

Canonical transient receptor potential TRPC7 can function as both a receptor- and store-operated channel in HEK-293 cells.

Previous studies on the activation mechanism of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels have often produced conflicting conclusions. All seven have been shown to be activated by phospholipase C (PLC)-coupled receptors, but TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, and TRPC7 have also been proposed to function as store-operated channels.(1)1Although PLC activation inevitably leads to activation of store-operated channels, in this report when we refer to PLC-activated channels, we mean those channels that are specifically activated by PLC independently of store depletion. In the case of TRPC3, the expression environment and the expression level appear to determine the mode of regulation. Evidence of a close structural relative of TRPC3, TRPC7, has been presented that this channel is activated by receptor activation or by store depletion. On the basis of previous findings for TRPC3, we reasoned that subtle differences in structure or expression conditions might account for the apparent distinct gating mechanisms of TRPC7. To reexamine the mode of activation of TRPC7, we stably and transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells with cDNA encoding for human TRPC7. We examined the ability of a PLC-activating agonist and an intracellular Ca(2+) store-depleting agent to activate these channels. Our findings demonstrate that when transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells, TRPC7 forms channels that are activated by PLC-stimulating agonists, but not by Ca(2+) store depletion. However, when stably expressed in HEK-293 cells, TRPC7 can be activated by either Ca(2+) store depletion or PLC activation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a channel protein that can be activated by both receptor- and store-operated modes in the same cell. In addition, the results reconcile the apparently conflicting findings of other laboratories regarding TRPC7 regulation.

A novel mechanism for the store-operated calcium influx pathway.

Activation of store-operated channels (SOCs) and capacitative calcium influx are triggered by depletion of intracellular calcium stores. However, the exact molecular mechanism of such communication remains unclear. Recently, we demonstrated that native SOC channels can be activated by calcium influx factor (CIF) that is produced upon depletion of calcium stores, and showed that Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) has an important role in the store-operated calcium influx pathway. Here, we identify the key plasma-membrane-delimited events that result in activation of SOC channels. We also propose a novel molecular mechanism in which CIF displaces inhibitory calmodulin (CaM) from iPLA(2), resulting in activation of iPLA(2) and generation of lysophospholipids that in turn activate soc channels and capacitative calcium influx. Upon refilling of the stores and termination of CIF production, CaM rebinds to iPLA(2), inhibits it, and the activity of SOC channels and capacitative calcium influx is terminated.

Cholesterol depletion impairs vascular reactivity to endothelin-1 by reducing store-operated Ca2+ entry dependent on TRPC1.

The reactivity of the vascular wall to endothelin-1 (ET-1) is influenced by cholesterol, which is of possible importance for the progression of atherosclerosis. To elucidate signaling steps affected, the cholesterol acceptor methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (mbetacd, 10 mmol/L) was used to manipulate membrane cholesterol and disrupt caveolae in intact rat arteries. In endothelium-denuded caudal artery, contractile responsiveness to 10 nmol/L ET-1 (mediated by the ETA receptor) was reduced by mbetacd and increased by cholesterol. Neither ligand binding nor colocalization of ETA and caveolin-1 was affected by mbetacd. Ca2+ inflow via store-operated channels after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores was reduced in mbetacd-treated caudal arteries, as shown by Mn2+ quench rate and intracellular [Ca2+] response. Expression of TRPC1, 3, and 6 was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and colocalization of TRPC1 with caveolin-1 was reduced by mbetacd, as seen by immunofluorescence. Part of the contractile response to ET-1 was inhibited by Ni2+ (0.5 mmol/L) and by a TRPC1 blocking antibody. In the basilar artery, exhibiting less store-operated channel activity than the caudal artery, ET-1-induced contractions were insensitive to the TRPC1 blocking antibody and to mbetacd. Increased store-operated channel activity in basilar arteries after organ culture correlated with increased sensitivity of ET-1 contraction to mbetacd. These results suggest that cholesterol influences vascular reactivity to ET-1 by affecting the caveolar localization of TRPC1.

Ca2+-independent Phospholipase A2 Is a Novel Determinant of Store-operated Ca2+ Entry

Store-operated cation (SOC) channels and capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) play very important role in cellular function, but the mechanism of their activation remains one of the most intriguing and long lasting mysteries in the field of Ca(2+) signaling. Here, we present the first evidence that Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) is a crucial molecular determinant in activation of SOC channels and store-operated Ca(2+) entry pathway. Using molecular, imaging, and electrophysiological techniques, we show that directed molecular or pharmacological impairment of the functional activity of iPLA(2) leads to irreversible inhibition of CCE mediated by nonselective SOC channels and by Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels. Transfection of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) with antisense, but not sense, oligonucleotides for iPLA(2) impaired thapsigargin (TG)-induced activation of iPLA(2) and TG-induced Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) influx. Identical inhibition of TG-induced Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) influx (but not Ca(2+) release) was observed in SMC, human platelets, and Jurkat T-lymphocytes when functional activity of iPLA(2) was inhibited by its mechanism-based suicidal substrate, bromoenol lactone (BEL). Moreover, irreversible inhibition of iPLA(2) impaired TG-induced activation of single nonselective SOC channels in SMC and BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid)-induced activation of whole-cell CRAC current in rat basophilic leukemia cells. Thus, functional iPLA(2) is required for activation of store-operated channels and capacitative Ca(2+) influx in wide variety of cell types.

Expression of Functional Receptor-coupled TRPC3 Channels in DT40 Triple Receptor InsP3 knockout Cells

The TRPC3 channel, an intensively studied member of the widely expressed transient receptor potential (TRP) family, is a Ca(2+)-conducting channel activated in response to phospholipase C-coupled receptors. Despite scrutiny, the receptor-induced mechanism to activate TRPC3 channels remains unclear. Evidence indicates TRPC3 channels interact directly with intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP(3)Rs) and that channel activation is mediated through coupling to InsP(3)Rs. TRPC3 channels were expressed in DT40 chicken B lymphocytes in which all three InsP(3)R genes were deleted (DT40InsP(3)R-k/o). Endogenous B-cell receptors (BCR) coupled through Syk kinase to phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) activated the expressed TRPC3 channels in both DT40w/t and DT40InsP(3)R-k/o cells. The diacylglycerol (DAG) analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) also activated TRPC3 channels independently of InsP(3)Rs. BCR-induced TRPC3 activation was blocked by the PLC enzymic inhibitor, U-73122, and also blocked by wortmannin-induced PLC substrate depletion. Neither U-73122 nor wortmannin modified either OAG-induced TRPC3 activation or store-operated channel activation in DT40 cells. Cotransfection of cells with both G protein-coupled M5 muscarinic receptors and TRPC3 channels resulted in successful M5 coupling to open TRPC3 channels mediated by PLC-beta. We conclude that TRPC3 channels are activated independently of InsP(3)Rs through DAG production resulting from receptor-mediated activation of either PLC-gamma or PLC-beta.

A store-operated nonselective cation channel in lymphocytes is activated directly by Ca(2+) influx factor and diacylglycerol.

Agonist-receptor interactions at the plasma membrane often lead to activation of store-operated channels (SOCs) in the plasma membrane, allowing for sustained Ca(2+) influx. While Ca(2+) influx is important for many biological processes, little is known about the types of SOCs, the nature of the depletion signal, or how the SOCs are activated. We recently showed that in addition to the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel, both Jurkat T cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells express novel store-operated nonselective cation channels that we termed Ca(2+) release-activated nonselective cation (CRANC) channels. Here we demonstrate that activation of both CRAC and CRANC channels is accelerated by a soluble Ca(2+) influx factor (CIF). In addition, CRANC channels in inside-out plasma membrane patches are directly activated upon exposure of their cytoplasmic side to highly purified CIF preparations. Furthermore, CRANC channels are also directly activated by diacylglycerol. These results strongly suggest that the Ca(2+) store-depletion signal is a diffusible molecule and that at least some SOCs may have dual activation mechanisms.