STIM2beta enhances chondrogenesis.

Abstract

Calcium signaling through store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) plays essential roles in diverse cellular and physiological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. STIM and Orai are essential components enabling the reconstitution of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels that mediate SOCE. Recently, we reported that STIM2beta, STIM2 splice variant, plays a role in regulation of myogenesis. However, whether STIM2beta is involved in chondrogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we examined the mRNA expression of SOCE components by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in differentiating chondrogenic ATDC5 cell, showing the increased mRNA expression level during chondrogenesis. And we generated STIM2beta knock-out ATDC5 cell with CRISPR-Cas9 system and confirmed that deletion of STIM2beta showed an altered calcium level and delayed chondrogenesis. These results showed that STIM2beta might play a positive role in chondrogenesis. Our study may shed light on SOCE mediated other cellular differentiation research.