Physiological functions of novel STIM1 and STIM2 splice variants

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous mechanism regulating Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Functional and active Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels are composed of a complex of the pore-forming Orai (Orai1-3) subunits within the plasma membrane in close apposition to their ER-localized activators STIM1 and STIM2.

We want to understand how individual cell-types tune SOCE to suit the spatial and temporal requirements of particular functions by splicing the activator molecules STIM1 and STIM2.