Immunoreceptor signalling leads to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, which is followed by the entry of external Ca2+ into the cell through mysterious store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels. Recent studies have identified stromal interaction molecules (STIMs) as having an essential role in SOC influx. Remarkably, Ca2+ store depletion induces a rapid redistribution of the endoplasmic reticulum STIM1 into puncta that accumulate near the plasma membrane. The combined data suggest that STIM1 functions as a Ca2+ sensor in the signalling pathways connecting Ca2+ store depletion to SOC entry.

Institute of Molecular Genetics Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Videnská 1083 142 20 Prague 4 Czech Republic

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