Calcium, orai1, and epidermal proliferation

Abstract

Ca2+ influx controls essential epidermal functions, including proliferation, differentiation, cell migration, itch, and barrier homeostasis. The Orai1 ion channel allows capacitive Ca2+ influx after Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and it has now been shown to modulate epidermal atrophy. These findings reveal new interactions among various Ca2+ signaling pathways and uncover novel functions for Ca2+ signaling via the Orai1 channel.