An EF hand mutation in Stim1 causes premature platelet activation and bleeding in mice

Abstract

Changes in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ levels regulate a variety of fundamental cellular functions in virtually all cells. In nonexcitable cells, a major pathway of Ca²⁺ entry involves receptor-mediated depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores followed by the activation of store-operated calcium channels in the plasma membrane. We have established a mouse line expressing an activating EF hand motif mutant of stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1), an ER receptor recently identified as the Ca²⁺ sensor responsible for activation of Ca²⁺ release–activated (CRAC) channels in T cells, whose function in mammalian physiology is not well understood. Mice expressing mutant Stim1 had macrothrombocytopenia and an associated bleeding disorder. Basal intracellular Ca²⁺ levels were increased in platelets, which resulted in a preactivation state, a selective unresponsiveness to immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif–coupled agonists, and increased platelet consumption. In contrast, basal Ca²⁺ levels, but not receptor-mediated responses, were affected in mutant T cells. These findings identify Stim1 as a central regulator of platelet function and suggest a cell type–specific activation or composition of the CRAC complex.