Orai-2 is localized on secretory granules and regulates antigen-evoked Ca²⁺ mobilization and exocytosis in mast cells.

The increase in intracellular Ca(2+) through the Ca(2+) channel is an indispensable step for the secretion of inflammatory mediators by mast cells. It was recently reported that Orai-1 is responsible for the Ca(2+) influx that is activated by depletion of stored Ca(2+). There are three isoforms of Orai: Orai-1, Orai-2, and Orai-3; however, isoforms other than Orai-1 are poorly understood. We found that Orai-2 is expressed and localized on secretory granules in RBL-2H3. Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+) store, induced by antigen stimulation, was significantly attenuated by knockdown of Orai-2, while that induced by thapsigargin was not affected. Furthermore, exocytotic release induced by antigen stimulation was inhibited in knockdown cells. This observation suggests a new role of Orai isoforms in secretory cells.