The physiological function of store-operated calcium entry.

Store-operated Ca(2+) entry is a process whereby the depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores signals the opening of plasma membrane Ca(2+) channels. It has long been thought that the main function of store-operated Ca(2+) entry was the replenishment of intracellular Ca(2+) stores following their discharge during intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. Recent results, however, suggest that the primary function of these channels may be to provide direct Ca(2+) signals to recipients localized to spatially restricted areas close to the sites of Ca(2+) entry in order to initiate specific signaling pathways.