Sex-associated differences in hypertension have been observed repeatedly in epidemiological studies; however, the mechanisms conferring vascular protection to females are not totally elucidated. Sex-related differences in intracellular Ca2+ handling or, more specifically, in mechanisms that regulate Ca2+ entry into vascular smooth muscle cells have been identified as players in sex-related differences in hypertension-associated vascular dysfunction. Recently, new signalling components that regulate Ca2+ influx, in conditions of intracellular store depletion, were identified: STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1), which works as an intracellular Ca2+ sensor; and Orai1, which is a component of the CRAC (Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+) channels. Together, these proteins reconstitute store-operated Ca2+ channel function. Disturbances in STIM1/Orai1 signalling have been implicated in pathophysiological conditions, including hypertension. In the present article, we analyse evidence for sex-related differences in Ca2+ handling and propose a new hypothesis where sex-related differences in STIM/Orai signalling may contribute to hypertension-associated vascular differences between male and female subjects.
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Hypothesis|
December 15 2009
STIM and Orai proteins: players in sexual differences in hypertension-associated vascular dysfunction?
Fernanda R.C. Giachini;
*Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-3000, U.S.A.
†Department of Pharmacology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo SP 05508-900, Brazil
Correspondence: Dr Fernanda R.C. Giachini (email: [email protected]).
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R. Clinton Webb;
R. Clinton Webb
*Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-3000, U.S.A.
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Rita C. Tostes
Rita C. Tostes
*Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-3000, U.S.A.
†Department of Pharmacology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo SP 05508-900, Brazil
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
September 01 2009
Revision Received:
October 09 2009
Accepted:
October 20 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Biochemical Society
2010
Clin Sci (Lond) (2010) 118 (6): 391–396.
Article history
Received:
September 01 2009
Revision Received:
October 09 2009
Accepted:
October 20 2009
Citation
Fernanda R.C. Giachini, R. Clinton Webb, Rita C. Tostes; STIM and Orai proteins: players in sexual differences in hypertension-associated vascular dysfunction?. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 March 2010; 118 (6): 391–396. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20090449
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