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The CRAC channel consists of a tetramer formed by Stim-induced dimerization of Orai dimers
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https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07338Abstract
CRAC channels: dimerization the key?The mechanism underlying activation of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels, in response to depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, has generated much interest. Recently, it was shown that Stim forms the relay between the Ca2+ store and the plasma membrane, where it activates the ion-channel forming protein Orai. Here, Penna et al. show that Orai is a dimer at rest and a tetramer when activated by Stim, raising the interesting possibility that dimerization is the trigger for channel activation.
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