STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) has recently been proposed to communicate the intracellular Ca(2+) stores with the plasma membrane to mediate store-operated Ca(2+) entry. Here we describe for the first time that Ca(2+) store depletion stimulates rapid STIM1 surface expression and association with endogenously expressed human canonical TRP1 (hTRPC1) independently of rises in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration. These events require the support of the actin cytoskeleton in human platelets, as reported for the coupling between type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in the Ca(2+) stores and hTRPC1 in the plasma membrane, which has been suggested to underlie the activation of store-operated Ca(2+) entry in these cells. Electrotransjection of cells with anti-STIM1 antibody, directed toward the N-terminal sequence that includes the Ca(2+)-binding region, prevented the migration of STIM1 toward the plasma membrane, the interaction between STIM1 and hTRPC1, the coupling between hTRPC1 and type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, and reduced store-operated Ca(2+) entry. These findings provide evidence for a role of STIM1 in the activation of store-operated Ca(2+) entry probably acting as a Ca(2+) sensor.

The nature of the mechanism underlying store-mediated Ca(2+) entry has been investigated in human platelets through a combination of cytoskeletal modifications. Inhibition of actin polymerization by cytochalasin D or latrunculin A had a biphasic time-dependent effect on Ca(2+) entry, showing an initial potentiation followed by inhibition of Ca(2+) entry. Moreover, addition of these agents after induction of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry inhibited the Ca(2+) influx mechanism. Jasplakinolide, which reorganizes actin filaments into a tight cortical layer adjacent to the plasma membrane, prevented activation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry but did not modify this process after its activation. In addition, jasplakinolide prevented cytochalasin D-induced inhibition of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry. Calyculin A, an inhibitor of protein serine/threonine phosphatases 1 and 2 which activates translocation of existing F-actin to the cell periphery without inducing actin polymerization, also prevented activation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry. Finally, inhibition of vesicular transport with brefeldin A inhibited activation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry but did not alter this mechanism once initiated. These data suggest that store-mediated Ca(2+) entry in platelets may be mediated by a reversible trafficking and coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum with the plasma membrane, which shows close parallels to the events mediating secretion.

Orai1 and hTRPC1 have been presented as essential components of store-operated channels mediating highly Ca(2+) selective I(CRAC) and relatively Ca(2+) selective I(SOC), respectively. STIM1 has been proposed to communicate the Ca(2+) content of the intracellular Ca(2+) stores to the plasma membrane store-operated Ca(2+) channels. Here we present evidence for the dynamic interaction between endogenously expressed Orai1 and both STIM1 and hTRPC1 regulated by depletion of the intracellular Ca(2+) stores, using the pharmacological tools thapsigargin plus ionomycin, or by the physiological agonist thrombin, independently of extracellular Ca(2+). In addition we report that Orai1 mediates the communication between STIM1 and hTRPC1, which is essential for the mode of activation of hTRPC1-forming Ca(2+) permeable channels. Electrotransjection of cells with anti-Orai1 antibody, directed toward the C-terminal region that mediates the interaction with STIM1, and stabilization of an actin cortical barrier with jasplakinolide prevented the interaction between STIM1 and hTRPC1. Under these conditions hTRPC1 was no longer involved in store-operated calcium entry but in diacylglycerol-activated non-capacitative Ca(2+) entry. These findings support the functional role of the STIM1-Orai1-hTRPC1 complex in the activation of store-operated Ca(2+) entry.

According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) pain is characterized as an “unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage”. The TRP super-family, compressing up to 28 isoforms in mammals, mediates a myriad of physiological and pathophysiological processes, pain among them. TRP channel might be constituted by similar or different TRP subunits, which will result in the formation of homomeric or heteromeric channels with distinct properties and functions. In this review we will discuss about the function of TRPs in pain, focusing on TRP channles that participate in the transduction of noxious sensation, especially TRPV1 and TRPA1, their expression in nociceptors and their sensitivity to a large number of physical and chemical stimuli.

Physical interaction between transient receptor potential (Trp) channels and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) has been presented as a candidate mechanism for the activation of store-mediated Ca²⁺ entry. The role of a human homologue of Drosophila transient receptor potential channel, hTrp1, in the conduction of store-mediated Ca²⁺ entry was examined in human platelets. Incubation of platelets with a specific antibody, which recognizes the extracellular amino acid sequence 557–571 of hTrp1, inhibited both store depletion-induced Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ entry in a concentration-dependent manner. Stimulation of platelets with the physiological agonist thrombin activated coupling between the IP₃ receptor type II and endogenously expressed hTrp1. This event was reversed by refilling of the internal Ca²⁺ stores but maintained after removal of the agonist if the stores were not allowed to refill. Inhibition of IP₃ recycling using Li⁺ or inhibition of IP₃Rs with xestospongin C or treatment with jasplakinolide, to stabilize the cortical actin filament network, abolished thrombin-induced coupling between hTrp1 and IP₃R type II. Incubation with the anti-hTrp1 antibody inhibited thrombin-evoked Ca²⁺ entry without affecting Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. These results provide evidence for the involvement of hTrp1 in the activation of store-mediated Ca²⁺ entry by coupling to IP₃R type II in normal human cells.