Notch1 regulates Orai1 and Orai3 expression in breast cancer cells

Store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) is a major pathway for Ca²⁺ entry that regulates several cellular functions. SOCE remodeling mediated by changes in the expression and/or function of the Orai channels results in the reorganization of intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis leading to a variety of pathologies, including cancer. Notably, a significant alteration of Orai function has been reported in breast cancer cells, where the dysregulation of the Notch1 signaling pathway plays a role in the development and progression of cancer hallmarks. Here, we have investigated the possible role of Notch1 in the regulation of the expression of Orai1 and Orai3 in different breast cancer cell lines. Expression of the active form of Notch1, as well as cell stimulation with the Notch1 agonist Jagged-1 (Jag-1), demonstrates a differential role of Notch1 in the regulation of Orai expression in non-tumoral breast epithelial cells and triple negative or luminal breast cancer cells. The role of Notch1 was confirmed using DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor that prevents activation of the Notch pathway. Modulation of Orai1 and Orai3 expression by Notch1 was paralleled by changes in SOCE. The effect in Orai expression mediated by activation of Notch1 signaling pathway was mimicked by the expression of HEY1 or the non-phosphorylatable HEY1-S68A mutant; by contrast, expression of the phosphomimetic HEY1-S68D mutant was without effect on Orai expression. Understanding the Notch1-HEY1-Orai axis might provide insights into the development of subtype-specific therapeutic strategies targeting breast cancer.