2020). In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), SOCs are stimulated by vasoconstrictors that activate the Gαq protein‐coupled receptor signalling pathway leading to phospholipase C (PLC) activity, phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) generation and IP3‐mediated depletion of SR Ca2+ stores. As such SOCs induce Ca2+ entry pathways that regulate vasoconstrictor‐mediated contraction, proliferation and migration, and are considered drug targets for treatment of vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene CISH and atherosclerosis.