ORAI1 deficiency and lack of store-operated Ca2+ entry cause immunodeficiency, myopathy, and ectodermal dysplasia

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Dec;124(6):1311-1318.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.10.007.

Abstract

Background: Defects in the development or activation of T cells result in immunodeficiency associated with severe infections early in life. T-cell activation requires Ca2+ influx through Ca2+-release activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels encoded by the gene ORAI1.

Objective: Investigation of the genetic causes and the clinical phenotype of immunodeficiency in patients with impaired Ca2+ influx and CRAC channel function.

Methods: DNA sequence analysis for mutations in the genes ORAI1, ORAI2, ORAI3, and stromal interaction molecule (STIM) 1 and 2, as well as mRNA and protein expression analysis of ORAI1 in immunodeficient patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of ORAI1 tissue distribution in healthy human donors.

Results: We identified mutations in ORAI1 in patients from 2 unrelated families. One patient is homozygous for a frameshift nonsense mutation in ORAI1 (ORAI1-A88SfsX25), and a second patient is compound heterozygous for 2 missense mutations in ORAI1 (ORAI1-A103E/L194P). All 3 mutations abolish ORAI1 expression and impair Ca2+ influx and CRAC channel function. The clinical syndrome associated with ORAI1 deficiency is characterized by immunodeficiency with a defect in the function but not in the development of lymphocytes, congenital myopathy, and anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia with a defect in dental enamel calcification. In contrast with the limited clinical phenotype, we found ORAI1 protein expression in a wide variety of cell types and organs.

Conclusion: Ca2+ influx through ORAI1 is crucial for lymphocyte function in vivo. Despite almost ubiquitous ORAI1 expression, the channel has a nonredundant role in only a few cell types judging from the limited clinical phenotype in ORAI1-deficient patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / deficiency*
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / genetics
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / metabolism*
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / pathology
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / metabolism*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscular Diseases / genetics
  • Muscular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • ORAI2 Protein
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 2
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • ORAI1 protein, human
  • ORAI2 Protein
  • ORAI2 protein, human
  • Orai3 protein, human
  • STIM1 protein, human
  • STIM2 protein, human
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 2
  • Calcium