Abstract
To avoid conflicting and deleterious outcomes, eukaryotic cells often confine signalling molecules to spatially restricted sub-compartments. The smallest signalling unit is the Ca2+ nanodomain, forming near open Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ nanodomains near store-operated Orai1 channels stimulate calcineurin, which activates the transcription factor NFAT1, and both enzyme and target are initially attached to the plasma membrane through the scaffolding protein AKAP79. Here we show that a cAMP signalling nexus also forms adjacent to Orai1. Protein kinase A and phosphodiesterase 4, an enzyme that rapidly breaks down cAMP, both associate with AKAP79 and realign close to Orai1 after stimulation. PCR and mass spectrometry failed to show expression of Ca2+-activated adenylyl cyclase 8 in HEK293 cells, whereas the enzyme was observed in neuronal cell lines. FRET and biochemical measurements of bulk cAMP and protein kinase A activity consistently failed to show an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity following even a large rise in cytosolic Ca2+. Furthermore, expression of AKAP79-CUTie, a cAMP FRET sensor tethered to AKAP79, did not report a rise in cAMP after stimulation, despite AKAP79 association with Orai1. Hence HEK293 cells do not express functionally active Ca2+-activated adenylyl cyclases including adenylyl cyclase 8. Our results show that two ancient second messengers are independently generated in nanodomains close to Orai1 Ca2+ channels.
GABA induces the differentiation of small into large cholangiocytes by activation of Ca2+/CaMK I-dependent adenylyl cyclase 8