Stored Ca2+ Depletion-induced Oligomerization of Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 (STIM1) via the EF-SAM Region

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) has recently been identified as a key player in store-operated Ca2+ entry. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal Ca2+ depletion results in STIM1 redistribution from ER membrane homogeneity to distinctly localized aggregates near the plasma membrane; these changes precede and are linked to cytoplasmic Ca2+ influx via Ca2+ release-activated channels (CRACs). The molecular mechanisms initiating ER STIM1 redistribution and plasma membrane CRAC activity are not well understood. We recombinantly expressed the Ca2+-sensing region of STIM1 consisting of the EF-hand together with the sterile alpha-motif (SAM) domain (EF-SAM) to investigate its Ca2+-related conformational and biochemical features. We demonstrate that Ca2+-loaded EF-SAM (holo) contains high alpha-helicity, whereas EF-SAM in the absence of Ca2+ (apo) is much less compact. Accordingly, the melting temperature (Tm) of the holoform is approximately 25 degrees C higher than apoform; heat and urea-derived thermodynamic parameters indicate a Ca2+-induced stabilization of 3.2 kcal mol(-1). We show that holoEF-SAM exists as a monomer, whereas apoEF-SAM readily forms a dimer and/or oligomer, and that oligomer to monomer transitions and vice versa are at least in part mediated by changes in surface hydrophobicity. Additionally, we find that the Ca2+ binding affinity of EF-SAM is relatively low with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of approximately 0.2-0.6 mM and a binding stoichiometry of 1. Our results suggest that EF-SAM actively participates in and is the likely the molecular trigger initiating STIM1 punctae formation via large conformational changes. The low Ca2+ affinity of EF-SAM is reconciled with the confirmed role of STIM1 as an ER Ca2+ sensor.