SOC channels
Encyclopedia
Store-operated channels are ion channel
s located in the plasma membrane of all non-excitable cells (all cells except myocyte
s, neuron
s and endocrine cells). These channels are most studied in regard to their role in calcium
entry into the cytoplasm
from extracellular
milieu. There are other SOC channels selective to other ions. Calcium SOCs are especially important for the cell because they are the major source of intracellar calcium; and calcium itself is involved in a wide array of vital cellular functions. SOCs are so called because they are activated by intracellular
calcium (particularly the endoplasmic reticulum
(ER)) stores depletion by both physiological or pharmacological processes.
Ion channel
Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that help establish and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of cells by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient. They are present in the membranes that surround all biological cells...
s located in the plasma membrane of all non-excitable cells (all cells except myocyte
Myocyte
A myocyte is the type of cell found in muscles. They arise from myoblasts.Each myocyte contains myofibrils, which are long, long chains of sarcomeres, the contractile units of the cell....
s, neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s and endocrine cells). These channels are most studied in regard to their role in calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
entry into the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
from extracellular
Extracellular
In cell biology, molecular biology and related fields, the word extracellular means "outside the cell". This space is usually taken to be outside the plasma membranes, and occupied by fluid...
milieu. There are other SOC channels selective to other ions. Calcium SOCs are especially important for the cell because they are the major source of intracellar calcium; and calcium itself is involved in a wide array of vital cellular functions. SOCs are so called because they are activated by intracellular
Intracellular
Not to be confused with intercellular, meaning "between cells".In cell biology, molecular biology and related fields, the word intracellular means "inside the cell".It is used in contrast to extracellular...
calcium (particularly the endoplasmic reticulum
Endoplasmic reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle of cells in eukaryotic organisms that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae...
(ER)) stores depletion by both physiological or pharmacological processes.