Orai1 Boosts SK3 Channel Activation.

ABSTRACT: The interplay of SK3, a Ca²⁺ sensitive K⁺ ion channel, with Orai1, a Ca²⁺ ion channel, has been reported to increase cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels, thereby triggering proliferation of breast and colon cancer cells, although a molecular mechanism has remained elusive to date. We show in the current study, via heterologous protein expression, that Orai1 can enhance SK3 K⁺ currents, in addition to constitutively bound calmodulin (CaM). At low cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels that decrease SK3 K⁺ permeation, co-expressed Orai1 potentiates SK3 currents. This positive feedback mechanism of SK3 and Orai1 is enabled by their close co-localization. Remarkably, we discovered that loss of SK3 channel activity due to overexpressed CaM mutants could be restored by Orai1, likely via its interplay with the SK3-CaM binding site. Mapping for interaction sites within Orai1, we identified that the cytosolic strands and pore residues are critical for a functional communication with SK3. Moreover, STIM1 has a bimodal role in SK3-Orai1 regulation. Under physiological ionic conditions, STIM1 is able to impede SK3-Orai1 interplay by significantly decreasing their co-localization. Forced STIM1-Orai1 activity and associated Ca²⁺ influx promote SK3 K⁺ currents. The dynamic regulation of Orai1 to boost endogenous SK3 channels was also determined in the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP.

SUBMITTER: Tiffner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8699475 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature