Summary
Ca2+ signaling mediated by phospholipase C that produces inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ] and diacylglycerol (DAG) controls lymphocyte activation. In contrast to store-operated Ca 2+ entry activated by Ins(1,4,5)P 3 -induced Ca 2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, the importance of DAG-activated Ca 2+ entry remains elusive. Here, we describe the physiological role of DAG-activated Ca 2+ entry channels in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. In avian DT40 B cells, deficiency of transient receptor potential TRPC3 at the plasma membrane (PM) impaired DAG-activated cation currents and, upon BCR stimulation, the sustained translocation to the PM of protein kinase C (PKC) that activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Notably, TRPC3 showed direct association with PKC that maintained localization of PKC at the PM. Thus, TRPC3 functions as both a Ca 2+ -permeable channel and a protein scaffold at the PM for downstream PKC activation in B cells.