The role of store-operated calcium channel in chronic inflammation

Calcium is an important second arymessenger that regulates a variety of physiological functions, including cell proliferation, enzyme metabolism, gene expression and apoptosis. In non-excitable cells such as T lymphocytes, hepatocytes, mast cells, endothelia and cancer cells, the predominant mechanism for calcium(Ca₂₊) entry is through store-operated Ca₂₊ channels (SOCs),which are activated by the emptying of intracellular Ca₂₊ stores. Here, we review some of the proposed gating mechanisms of store-operated Ca₂₊ channel and the functional implications of SOCs in the regulation of pro-inflammatory signals and tumor progression.