STIM1 and STIM2 in colorectal cancer progression. Homo sapiens

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer. Most cancer cells undergo a metabolic transformation to support uncontrolled growth and metastasis. To undergo a metabolic transformation, cancer cells produce ATP and biomolecules, which requires a healthy mitochondrion. Recent studies indicate that STIM proteins (STIM1 and STIM2), which are stromal interaction molecules present in the endoplasmic reticular membrane, can regulate mitochondrial function. TCGA data analysis shows that reduced STIM2 mRNA levels significantly correlate with reduced survival of CRC patients. Here, we sought to determine the function of STIM1 and STIM2 in CRC progression.