Dynamic movement of the calcium sensor STIM1 and the calcium channel Orai1 in activated T-cells: puncta and distal caps

Mol Biol Cell. 2008 Jul;19(7):2802-17. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e08-02-0146. Epub 2008 Apr 30.

Abstract

The proteins STIM1 and Orai1 are the long sought components of the store-operated channels required in T-cell activation. However, little is known about the interaction of these proteins in T-cells after engagement of the T-cell receptor. We found that T-cell receptor engagement caused STIM1 and Orai1 to colocalize in puncta near the site of stimulation and accumulate in a dense structure on the opposite side of the T-cell. FRET measurements showed a close interaction between STIM1 and Orai1 both in the puncta and in the dense cap-like structure. The formation of cap-like structures did not entail rearrangement of the entire endoplasmic reticulum. Cap formation depended on TCR engagement and tyrosine phosphorylation, but not on channel activity or Ca(2+) influx. These caps were very dynamic in T-cells activated by contact with superantigen pulsed B-cells and could move from the distal pole to an existing or a newly forming immunological synapse. One function of this cap may be to provide preassembled Ca(2+) channel components to existing and newly forming immunological synapses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunological Synapses / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Phosphorylation
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • ORAI1 protein, human
  • STIM1 protein, human
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Calcium