SOCE mediated by STIM and Orai is essential for pacemaker activity in the interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract.

ABSTRACT: Electrical pacemaker activity generates phasic contractions and motility patterns such as segmentation and peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract. Pacemaker currents are generated in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), which release Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores that stimulates Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channels (CaCCs) in the plasma membrane. Thus, Ca²⁺ stores must be maintained to sustain pacemaker activity. Store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) facilitates the refilling of Ca²⁺ stores by a mechanism dependent upon interactions between STIM and Orai proteins. We investigated the role of SOCE in ICC pacemaker activity. Reintroduction of extracellular Ca²⁺ in store-depleted ICC resulted in CaCC activation. Blocking CaCCs r

SUBMITTER: Zheng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6310020 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature