The role of the store‐operated calcium entry channel Orai1 in cultured rat hippocampal synapse formation and plasticity

摘要

Key points class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc" id="tjp7412-list-0001">The role of non‐synaptic calcium entry in the formation and functions of dendritic spines was studied in dissociated cultured rat hippocampal neurons.Orai1, a store‐operated calcium channel, is found in dendritic spines.Orai1 co‐localizes in dendritic spines with STIM2 under conditions of lower [Ca²⁺]o.Orai1 channels are associated with the formation of new dendritic spines in response to elevated [Ca²⁺]o.Lack of Orai1, either by transfection with a dominant negative construct or with small interfering RNA to Orai1, results in retarded dendritic spines, an increase in density of filopodia, lower synaptic connectivity and the ability to undergo plastic changes.These results highlight a novel role for Orai1 in synapse formation, maturation and plasticity.