Sneyd, J. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2021

Regulation of Interorganellar Ca2+ Transfer and NFAT Activation by the Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter

Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is crucial for coupling receptor stimulation to cellular bioenergetics. Further, Ca2+ uptake by respiring mitochondria prevents Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI) of store-operated Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels and inhibits Ca2+ extrusion to sustain cytosolic Ca2+ signaling. However, how Ca2+ uptake by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) shapes receptor-evoked interorganellar Ca2+ signaling is unknown. Here, we generated several cell lines with MCU-knockout (MCU-KO) as well as tissue-specific MCU-knockdown mice. We show that mitochondrial depolarization, but not MCU-KO, inhibits store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Paradoxically, despite enhancing Ca2+ extrusion and promoting CRAC channel CDI, MCU-KO increased cytosolic Ca2+ in response to store depletion. Further, physiological agonist stimulation in MCU-KO cells led to enhanced frequency of cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ refilling, NFAT nuclear translocation and proliferation. However, MCU-KO did not affect inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor activity. Mathematical modeling supports that MCU-KO enhances cytosolic Ca2+, despite limiting CRAC channel activity.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The characteristics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in vivo necessitate a new model for salivary fluid secretion

Salivary fluid secretion involves an intricate choreography to result in the trans-epithelial movement of NaCl and water into the acinus lumen. Current models are based on experimental observations in enzymatically isolated cells where the Ca2+ signal invariably propagates globally and thus appears ideally suited to activate spatially separated Cl and K channels. We monitored Ca2+ signals and salivary secretion in live mice expressing GCamp6F, following stimulation of the nerves innervating the submandibular gland. Consistent with in vitro studies, Ca2+ signals were initiated in the apical endoplasmic reticulum. In marked contrast to in vitro data, highly localized trains of Ca2+ transients that failed to propagate from the apical region were observed. Following stimuli optimum for secretion, large apical-basal gradients were elicited. Given this incompatibility to the previous model, a new mathematical model was constructed to explain how salivary secretion can be efficiently stimulated by apically localized Ca2+ signals.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Omnitemporal choreographies of IP3R and all five STIM/Orai underlie the complexity of mammalian Ca2+ signaling

Invertebrates express one endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident Ca2+-sensing stromal-interaction molecule (Stim) and one Orai plasma membrane channel protein. Stim conveys store depletion to Orai, mediating the evolutionarily conserved Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) current. The crucial role of their vertebrate homologues, STIM1 and Orai1 in mediating CRAC activity in mammals is well-established. However, mammals possess two STIM and three Orai isoforms and the choreography of their interactions under physiological receptor activation is unknown. We show that the five mammalian STIM1/2 and Orai1/2/3 isoforms have non-redundant functions. Yet, all five isoforms are always required together to ensure the graded diversity of mammalian Ca2+ signaling events in response to the full spectrum of agonist strengths. Receptor-activated Ca2+ signaling across the range of stimulus intensities requires functional interactions between not only STIM1/2 and Orai1/2/3, but also IP3R, ensuring that receptor-mediated Ca2+ release is precisely tailored to Ca2+ entry and activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT). This is orchestrated by two interdependent and counterbalancing paradigms: the N-termini Ca2+-binding ER-luminal domains of unactivated STIM1/2 inhibit IP3R-evoked Ca2+ release. Gradual increase in agonist intensity leads to gradual STIM1/2 activation and relief of IP3R inhibition. Concomitantly, the cytosolic C-termini of activated STIM1/2 differentially interact with Orai1/2/3 proteins as agonist intensity increases. Thus, coordinated and omnitemporal functions of all five STIM/Orai proteins and IP3Rs at the ER-lumen and cytosol translate the strength of agonist stimulation to precise levels of Ca2+ release, Ca2+ entry and NFAT induction, ensuring the diversity and fidelity of complex mammalian Ca2+ signaling. HighlightsO_LIAll five STIM/Orai and IP3R are always required together in mammalian Ca2+ signalling C_LIO_LIUnactivated STIM1/2 inhibit IP3R and activated STIM1/2 cooperatively activate Orai1/2/3 C_LIO_LISTIM1 contribution increases and that of STIM2 decreases as agonist intensifies C_LIO_LIGraded IP3R disinhibition and Orai activation tailor receptor activity to NFAT induction C_LI O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=192 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/325480v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (65K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f6172dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6bbb09org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c45c80org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@194d7e4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

physiology↗