title: STIM1 activates CRAC channels through rotation of the pore helix to open a hydrophobic gate.
abstract: Store-operated Ca2+release-activated Ca2+(CRAC) channels constitute a major pathway for Ca2+influx and mediate many essential signalling functions in animal cells, yet how they open remains elusive. Here, we investigate the gating mechanism of the human CRAC channel Orai1 by its activator, stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1). We find that two rings of pore-lining residues, V102 and F99, work together to form a hydrophobic gate. Mutations of these residues to polar amino acids produce channels with leaky gates that conduct ions in the resting state. STIM1-mediated channel activation occurs through rotation of the pore helix, which displaces the F99 residues away from the pore axis to increase pore hydration, allowing ions to flow through the V102-F99 hydrophobic band. Pore helix rotation by STIM1 also explains the dynamic coupling between CRAC channel gating and ion selectivity. This hydrophobic gating mechanism has implications for CRAC channel function, pharmacology and disease-causing mutations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Priscilla S-W
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 0A4.|Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G IL7.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ing
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.affiliation: Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 0A4.|Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G IL7.
authors.forename: Régis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pomès
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Murali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prakriya
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071740:ORAI1 Protein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D012399:Rotation; D000071737:Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014633:Valine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000071740:ORAI1 Protein; C510746:ORAI1 protein, human; C103530:STIM1 protein, human; D000071737:Stromal Interaction Molecule 1; D010649:Phenylalanine; D014633:Valine; D002118:Calcium