The predominant role of IP₃ type 1 receptors in activation of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry in liver cells

Abstract

Physiologically, hormone induced release of Ca²+ from intracellular stores occurs in response to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) binding to its receptors expressed on the membranes of intracellular organelles, mainly endoplasmic reticulum. These IP₃ receptors act as channels, releasing Ca²+ into the cytoplasmic space where it is responsible for regulating a host of distinct cellular processes. The depletion of intracellular Ca²+ stores leads to activation of store-operated Ca²+ channels on the plasma membrane which replenishes lost Ca²+ and sustain Ca²+ signalling. There are three isoforms of IP₃ receptor, each exhibiting distinctive properties, however, little is known about the role of each isoform in the activation of store-operated Ca²+ entry. Recent evidence suggest that at least in some cell types the endoplasmic reticulum is not a homogeneous Ca²+ store, and there might be a sub-compartment specifically linked to the activation of store-operated Ca²+ channels, and Ca²+ release activated Ca²+ (CRAC) channel in particular. Furthermore, this sub-compartment might express only certain types of IP₃ receptor but not the others. Here we show that H4IIE liver cells express all three types of IP₃ receptor, but only type 1 and to a lesser extent type 3, but not type 2, participate in the activation of CRAC current (I(CRAC)), while type 1 and type 2, but not type 3, participate in observed Ca²+ release in response to receptor stimulation. Presented results suggest that in H4IIE rat liver cells the sub-compartment of intracellular Ca²+ store linked to the activation of I(CRAC) predominantly expresses type 1 IP₃ receptors.