Sequential forward and reverse transport of the Na+ Ca2+ exchanger generates Ca2+ oscillations within mitochondria

Mitochondrial Ca2+ homoeostasis regulates aerobic metabolism and cell survival. Ca2+ flux into mitochondria is mediated by the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) channel whereas Ca2+ export is often through an electrogenic Na+–Ca2+ exchanger. Here, we report remarkable functional versatility in mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchange under conditions where mitochondria are depolarised. Following physiological stimulation of cell-surface receptors, mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchange initially operates in reverse mode, transporting cytosolic Ca2+ into the matrix. As matrix Ca2+ rises, the exchanger reverts to its forward mode state, extruding Ca2+. Transitions between reverse and forward modes generate repetitive oscillations in matrix Ca2+. We further show that reverse mode Na+–Ca2+ activity is regulated by the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2. Our results demonstrate that reversible switching between transport modes of an ion exchanger molecule generates functionally relevant oscillations in the levels of the universal Ca2+ messenger within an organelle

Control of NFAT Isoform Activation and NFAT-Dependent Gene Expression through Two Coincident and Spatially Segregated Intracellular Ca 2+ Signals

© 2016 The Author(s) Excitation-transcription coupling, linking stimulation at the cell surface to changes in nuclear gene expression, is conserved throughout eukaryotes. How closely related coexpressed transcription factors are differentially activated remains unclear. Here, we show that two Ca2+-dependent transcription factor isoforms, NFAT1 and NFAT4, require distinct sub-cellular InsP3 and Ca2+ signals for physiologically sustained activation. NFAT1 is stimulated by sub-plasmalemmal Ca2+ microdomains, whereas NFAT4 additionally requires Ca2+ mobilization from the inner nuclear envelope by nuclear InsP3 receptors. NFAT1 is rephosphorylated (deactivated) more slowly than NFAT4 in both cytoplasm and nucleus, enabling a more prolonged activation phase. Oscillations in cytoplasmic Ca2+, long considered the physiological form of Ca2+ signaling, play no role in activating either NFAT protein. Instead, effective sustained physiological activation of NFAT4 is tightly linked to oscillations in nuclear Ca2+. Our results show how gene expression can be controlled by coincident yet geographically distinct Ca2+ signals, generated by a freely diffusible InsP3 message

Nuanced Interactions between AKAP79 and STIM1 with Orai1 Ca 2+ Channels at Endoplasmic Reticulum-Plasma Membrane Junctions Sustain NFAT Activation

A-kinase anchoring protein 79 (AKAP79) is a human scaffolding protein that organizes Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin, calmodulin, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, and the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT1) into a signalosome at the plasma membrane. Upon Ca2+ store depletion, AKAP79 interacts with the N-terminus of STIM1-gated Orai1 Ca2+ channels, enabling Ca2+ nanodomains to stimulate calcineurin. Calcineurin then dephosphorylates and activates NFAT1, which then translocates to the nucleus. A fundamental question is how signalosomes maintain long-term signaling when key effectors are released and therefore removed beyond the reach of the activating signal. Here, we show that the AKAP79-Orai1 interaction is considerably more transient than that of STIM1-Orai1. Free AKAP79, with calcineurin and NFAT1 in tow, is able to replace rapidly AKAP79 devoid of NFAT1 on Orai1, in the presence of continuous Ca2+ entry. We also show that Ca2+ nanodomains near Orai1 channels activate almost the entire cytosolic pool of NFAT1. Recycling of inactive NFAT1 from the cytoplasm to AKAP79 in the plasma membrane, coupled with the relatively weak interaction between AKAP79 and Orai1, maintain excitation-transcription coupling. By measuring rates for AKAP79-NFAT interaction, we formulate a mathematical model that simulates NFAT dynamics at the plasma membrane

Conformational surveillance of Orai1 by a rhomboid intramembrane protease prevents inappropriate CRAC channel activation

Calcium influx through plasma membrane calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels, which are formed of hexamers of Orai1, is a potent trigger for many important biological processes, most notably in T cell-mediated immunity. Through a bioinformatics-led cell biological screen, we have identified Orai1 as a substrate for the rhomboid intramembrane protease RHBDL2. We show that RHBDL2 prevents stochastic calcium signaling in unstimulated cells through conformational surveillance and cleavage of inappropriately activated Orai1. A conserved disease-linked proline residue is responsible for RHBDL2’s recognizing the active conformation of Orai1, which is required to sharpen switch-like signaling triggered by store-operated calcium entry. Loss of RHBDL2 control of CRAC channel activity causes severe dysregulation of downstream CRAC channel effectors, including transcription factor activation, inflammatory cytokine expression, and T cell activation. We propose that this surveillance function may represent an ancient activity of rhomboid proteases in degrading unwanted signaling proteins

Arf-1 (ADP-ribosylation factor-1) is involved in the activation of a mammalian Na+-selective current.

Stimulation of mammalian cells often results in an increase in the intracellular Na(+) concentration, brought about by Na(+) influx into the cell via Na(+)-permeable ion channels. In some cell types, particularly renal epithelia and mast cells, non-hydrolysable analogues of GTP, such as GTP[S] (guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate), activate a non-voltage-activated Na(+)-selective current. We have carried out whole-cell patch-clamp experiments to examine how GTP[S] activates the Na(+) current in a rat mast cell line. The ability of GTP[S] to activate Na(+) influx was prevented by including GTP in the pipette solution, indicating the involvement of small G-proteins. Brefeldin A and Arf-1-(2-17), inhibitors of Arf-1 (ADP-ribosylation factor-1) proteins, suppressed the activation of Na(+) entry by GTP[S]. However, non-active succinylated Arf-1-(2-17) or an N-terminal myristoylated peptide directed towards Arf-5 were ineffective. Arf proteins modulate the cytoskeleton, and disruption of the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D or its stabilization with phalloidin impaired the development of the Na(+) current. Disaggregation of microtubules was without effect. Dialysis with cAMP or inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase with caffeine both decreased the extent of Na(+) entry, and this was not prevented by pre-treatment with broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitors. Collectively, our results suggest that the mechanism of activation of a mammalian non-voltage-activated Na(+)-selective current requires an Arf small G-protein, most probably Arf-1

Substantial depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ stores is required for macroscopic activation of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ current in rat basophilic leukaemia cells

Tight-seal whole-cell patch clamp experiments were performed to examine the ability of different intracellular Ca2+ mobilising agents to activate the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ current (ICRAC) in rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL-1) cells under conditions of weak cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering.Dialysis with a maximal concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) routinely failed to activate macroscopic ICRAC in low buffer (0.1 mM EGTA, BAPTA or dimethyl BAPTA), whereas it activated the current to its maximal extent in high buffer (10 mM EGTA). Dialysis with a poorly metabolisable analogue of IP3, with ionomycin, or with IP3 and ionomycin all failed to generate macroscopic ICRAC in low Ca2+ buffering conditions.Dialysis with the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pump blocker thapsigargin was able to activate ICRAC even in the presence of low cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering, albeit at a slow rate. Exposure to IP3 together with the SERCA blockers thapsigargin, thapsigargicin or cyclopiazonic acid rapidly activated ICRAC in low buffer.Following activation of ICRAC by intracellular dialysis with IP3 and thapsigargin in low buffer, the current was very selective for Ca2+ (apparent KD of 1 mM). Sr2+ and Ba2+ were less effective charge carriers and Na+ was not conducted to any appreciable extent. The ionic selectivity of ICRAC was very similar in low or high intracellular Ca2+ buffer.Fast Ca2+-dependent inactivation of ICRAC occurred at a similar rate and to a similar extent in low or high Ca2+ buffer. Ca2+-dependent inactivation is not the reason why macroscopic ICRAC cannot be seen under conditions of low cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering.ICRAC could be activated by combining IP3 with thapsigargin, even in the presence of 100 μM Ca2+ and the absence of any exogenous Ca2+ chelator, where ATP and glutamate represented the only Ca2+ buffers in the pipette solution.Our results suggest that a threshold exists within the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ store, below which intraluminal Ca2+ needs to fall before ICRAC activates. Possible models to explain the results are discussed