Role of SOCE architects STIM and Orai proteins in Cell Death.

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays a critical role in regulating plethora of cellular functions including cell survival, proliferation and migration. The perturbations in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis can lead to cell death either by activating autophagic pathways or through induction of apoptosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the major storehouse of Ca2+ within cells and a number of physiological agonists mediate ER Ca2+ release by activating IP3 receptors (IP3R). This decrease in ER Ca2+ levels is sensed by STIM, which physically interacts and activates plasma membrane Ca2+ selective Orai channels. Emerging literature implicates a key role for STIM1, STIM2, Orai1 and Orai3 in regulating both cell survival and death pathways. In this review, we will retrospect the work highlighting the role of STIM and Orai homologs in regulating cell death signaling. We will further discuss the rationales that could explain the dual role of STIM and Orai proteins in regulating cell fate decisions.