Biology subjects

Cruz-Rangel, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Cruz-Rangel, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A Quartet of Native Orai Channel Isoforms Orchestrates Graded NFAT Activation and Transcription

The Ca{superscript 2} release-activated Ca{superscript 2} (CRAC) channel mediates store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), a ubiquitous pathway essential for many cell types, including immune cells. Three Orai (Orai1/2/3) proteins constitute the plasma membrane pore-forming units of CRAC channels that are activated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+-sensing STIM1/2 proteins when ER Ca2+ stores are depleted. Orai1/2/3 are differentially expressed across primary cells with discernible differences in their structures and biophysical properties. Further, Orai1 has two alternatively translated isoforms: long mammalian-specific Orai1 and the 63-residue shorter Orai1{beta}, which is evolutionarily older and conserved across vertebrates. Whether Orai1/1{beta}/2/3 produce unique cytosolic Ca{superscript 2} signatures that bias transcriptional responses through effectors like NFAT is unclear. Here, we used HEK293 cells engineered to express one native Orai isoform and show that all Orai isoforms couple to NFAT1/4 induction. The magnitude of NFAT1/4 induction for each Orai isoform matches that of SOCE, with the following profile: Orai1{beta}>Orai1>>Orai2>Orai3. Near-native re-expression of either Orai1 or Orai1{beta} in primary murine Orai1-/- CD4 T cells restored SOCE, NFAT activation, cytokine production and promoted near identical transcriptional responses enriched for immune activation pathways. An analysis of genetic and clinical data of human individuals showed that homozygous null mutations selectively abolishing Orai1 are not associated with disease resembling CRAC channelopathy. Primary T cells from individuals homozygous or heterozygous for an Orai1 null mutation showed enhanced, rather than impaired, SOCE and NFAT induction. Our data indicate that NFAT activation and transcriptional outputs are primarily driven by the graded strength of SOCE mediated by each isoform of the Orai quartet.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Lysosomal mitochondrial interaction promotes tumor growth in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Tumor growth and proliferation are regulated by numerous mechanisms. Communication between intracellular organelles has recently been shown to regulate cellular proliferation and fitness. The way lysosomes and mitochondria communicate with each other (lysosomal/mitochondrial interaction) is emerging as a major determinant of tumor proliferation and growth. About 30% of squamous carcinomas (including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, SCCHN) overexpress TMEM16A, a calcium-activated chloride channel, which promotes cellular growth and negatively correlates with patient survival. TMEM16A has recently been shown to drive lysosomal biogenesis, but its impact on mitochondrial function is unclear. Here, we show that (1) patients with high TMEM16A SCCHN display increased mitochondrial content specifically complex I; (2) In vitro and in vivo models uniquely depend on mitochondrial complex I activity for growth and survival; (3) {beta}-catenin/NRF2 signaling is a critical linchpin that drives mitochondrial biogenesis, and (4) mitochondrial complex I and lysosomal function are codependent for proliferation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that LMI drives tumor proliferation and facilitates a functional interaction between lysosomes and mitochondria. Therefore, inhibition of LMI may serve as a therapeutic strategy for patients with SCCHN.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Missense mutations in the calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A promote tumor growth by activating oncogenic signaling in Human Cancer.

The calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A is overexpressed in several tumors. This condition is associated with a poor survival prognosis but highlights TMEM16As potential as a biomarker and target for anti-cancer therapies. Numerous somatic mutations of TMEM16A have been reported; however, their potential and molecular mechanism of oncogenesis are unknown. Here, we investigate the function and oncogenicity of nine-point mutations found in human cancerous tissues (R451P, R455Q, M546I, R557W, F604L, D902N, K913E, D914H, and Q917K). These mutations are located on the extracellular side and near the third Ca2+-binding site, near a PtdIns(4,5)P2 site in the human TMEM16A channel. Our findings reveal that these mutations affected gating, Ca2+ sensitivity, phosphorylation of essential signaling proteins, cell proliferation, and tumor growth. Notably, R451P and D902N exhibit low Ca2+ sensitivity, yet their overexpression promotes phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT, as well as in vivo tumorigenesis, without Ca2+-enhancing stimuli. Conversely, the charged-neutralizing mutation R451Q and the conservative mutation D902E restored Ca2+ sensitivity and altered cell proliferation and tumor growth as wild-type did. Thus, we conclude that the oncogenic phenotype of TMEM16A missense mutations is independent of chloride flux but involves the differential activation of cell signaling components associated with cell proliferation.

cancer biology↗