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Biomedical subjects

C C Reynolds

Publications and source records attributed to C C Reynolds.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

On the role of the platelet membrane skeleton in mediating signal transduction. Association of GP IIb-IIIa, pp60c-src, pp62c-yes, and the p21ras GTPase-activating protein with the membrane skeleton.

The platelet plasma membrane is lined with a membrane skeleton composed of short actin filaments, actin-binding protein, spectrin, vinculin, and other unidentified proteins. It is connected to the outside of the cell through association with the cytoplasmic domains of transmembrane receptors. In detergent-lysed platelets, cytoplasmic actin filaments are sedimented by centrifugation at 15,600 x g, but the sedimentation of membrane skeleton fragments requires higher g-forces (100,000 x g). In the present study, we show that the major platelet integrin, glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa, sediments from detergent-lysed platelets at 100,000 x g together with fragments of the membrane skeleton that contain the cytoskeletal proteins spectrin, vinculin, and talin. In addition, this cell fraction contained the tyrosine kinases pp60c-src and pp62c-yes and the p21ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP). After thrombin-induced platelet aggregation mediated by fibrinogen binding to GP IIb-IIIa on adjacent platelets, we detected a redistribution of spectrin, talin, vinculin, pp60c-src, and pp62c-yes to the fraction that sediments at 15,600 x g. The redistribution of these proteins from the high-speed detergent-insoluble fraction to the low-speed fraction correlated with the extent of aggregation and was not detected in aggregation-defective thrombasthenic platelets (which lack the GP IIb-IIIa complex). In addition, many of the proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine in activated platelets were present in detergent-insoluble fractions. These results are consistent with the possibilities that 1) GP IIb-IIIa, pp60c-src, pp62c-yes, and GAP associate with a membrane skeleton fraction that contains spectrin, vinculin, and talin, 2) the association of GP IIb-IIIa with adhesive ligand in a platelet aggregate causes components of the membrane skeleton to undergo altered association with cytoplasmic actin filaments, and 3) many of the proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in activated platelets are components of the cytoskeleton. The results imply that the membrane skeleton may play an important role in binding signaling molecules at sites of integrin-cytoskeleton interactions and in mediating signal transduction events in platelets. Further, GP IIb-IIIa-induced redistribution of components of the membrane skeleton and associated signaling molecules may represent an important step in regulating integrin-induced motile events in platelets.

Actins↗

Efficient plasma membrane expression of a functional platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX complex requires the presence of its three subunits.

The glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex of the platelet plasma membrane mediates the adhesion of platelets to damaged blood vessel wall. The complex is composed of three membrane-spanning polypeptides, GP Ib alpha, GP Ib beta, and GP IX, all of which are absent from the platelets of patients with the hereditary bleeding disorder Bernard-Soulier syndrome. In this study we report stable expression of the recombinant receptor in three cell lines and demonstrate that the three subunits of the complex are necessary for its efficient expression on the plasma membrane. The expressed complex associates with the cytoskeleton of the transfected cells through an interaction with actin-binding protein and binds its ligand, von Willebrand factor. These data suggest that the lack of plasma membrane GP Ib-IX complex in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome could potentially arise from mutations affecting any one of its three subunits.

Animals↗

Evidence that agonist-induced activation of calpain causes the shedding of procoagulant-containing microvesicles from the membrane of aggregating platelets.

One of the responses of platelets to stimulation is activation of intracellular calpain (the Ca(2+)-dependent protease). Previously, we have shown that activation of calpain in platelets is involved in the generation of platelet procoagulant activity. Because procoagulant activity is present on the microvesicles that are shed from activated platelets, in this study we examined whether calpain is involved in the shedding of microvesicles. Platelets were incubated with the physiological agonists collagen or thrombin. The extent of activation of calpain correlated positively with the amount of procoagulant-containing microvesicles that formed, and the shedding of procoagulant-containing microvesicles was inhibited by calpeptin, MDL, and EST (E-64-d), three membrane-penetrating inhibitors of calpain. The protein composition of the microvesicles shed from aggregating platelets was similar to that of microvesicles shed by platelets in which the association of the membrane skeleton with the plasma membrane had been disrupted by incubation of platelets with dibucaine or ionophore A23187. Furthermore, like microvesicles shed from dibucaine- or ionophore A23187-treated platelets, those shed from the aggregating platelets possessed procoagulant activity. These results are consistent with the possibility that activation of calpain in aggregating platelets causes the shedding of procoagulant-containing microvesicles. We suggest that the shedding of microvesicles results from the calpain-induced hydrolysis of the platelet membrane skeleton.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

The role of calpain in stimulus-response coupling: evidence that calpain mediates agonist-induced expression of procoagulant activity in platelets.

Although calpain (the Ca2(+)-dependent protease) is widely distributed, its function is poorly understood. One cell in which it becomes activated as a consequence of activation of the cell is the blood platelet. The aim of the present study was to determine whether activation of calpain was responsible for any of the responses of platelets to stimulation. Platelets were incubated with calpeptin, a membrane-penetrating inhibitor of calpain, before being exposed to an agonist. Concentrations of calpeptin that totally inhibited the agonist-induced hydrolysis of actin-binding protein (ABP) by calpain had no effect on many other responses associated with platelet activation: phosphorylation of myosin light chain, phosphorylation of P47, platelet shape change, aggregation of platelets, secretion of granule contents, or retraction of fibrin clots. However, these concentrations of inhibitor decreased the agonist-induced generation of procoagulant activity (assayed as the ability of platelets to catalyze the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of factor Va and factor Xa). When thrombin was the agonist, the amount of ABP that was hydrolyzed was small; only a small component of the total agonist-induced procoagulant activity was inhibited by calpeptin. When collagen was the agonist, more ABP was hydrolyzed and the amount of procoagulant activity generated was greater; calpeptin decreased the collagen-induced procoagulant activity to levels comparable with those induced by thrombin in the presence of the inhibitor. We suggest that there are at least two mechanisms by which procoagulant activity is generated on activated platelets and that the agonist-induced activation of calpain mediates one of these mechanisms. These results show that activation of calpain is a component of the stimulus-response pathway in platelets.

Blood Coagulation↗

Platelet glycoprotein Ib beta is phosphorylated on serine 166 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Platelet responses are inhibited by agents such as prostaglandin E1 that increase the cytoplasmic concentration of cyclic AMP. Inhibition is thought to result from phosphorylation of specific proteins. One protein that becomes phosphorylated is glycoprotein (GP) Ib beta, a component of the GP Ib.IX complex. We have suggested that phosphorylation of GP Ib beta inhibits the collagen-induced polymerization of actin. The aim of the present study was to identify the amino acid(s) in GP Ib beta that is phosphorylated. Purified GP Ib.IX complex was phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of purified bovine cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP. Phosphoamino acid analysis showed that in GP Ib beta, [32P]phosphate was incorporated only into serine and was in a single tryptic peptide. Amino acid sequencing showed that this peptide was from the cytoplasmic domain of GP Ib beta and encompassed residues 161-175. A single serine residue, serine 166, contained the radiolabel. To determine whether the same residue was phosphorylated in intact platelets, GP Ib beta was isolated from 32P-labeled platelets before or after their exposure to prostaglandin E1. In both cases, radiolabel was present in phosphoserine and was in a single tryptic peptide. This peptide was the same as that which was phosphorylated in the purified GP Ib.IX complex, as shown by its identical mobility on two-dimensional tryptic maps, the presence of a positively charged residue in the fourth position, and the presence of the radiolabel in the sixth position of the peptide. This study shows that when cyclic AMP concentrations rise in platelets, the cytoplasmic domain of GP Ib beta is phosphorylated on serine 166, probably by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. We suggest that phosphorylation of this residue may contribute to the inhibitory actions of cyclic AMP by inhibiting collagen-induced polymerization of actin.

Adult↗

Identification of glycoprotein Ib beta as one of the major proteins phosphorylated during exposure of intact platelets to agents that activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Platelet function is inhibited by prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin I2, or forskolin, agents that increase the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP. The inhibition appears to result from cyclic AMP-stimulated phosphorylation of specific intracellular proteins. One of the major increases in phosphorylation occurs in a polypeptide of Mr = 24,000 (P24). In this study, an effort was made to identify P24. Platelets prelabeled with [32P]phosphate were incubated with prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin I2, or forskolin. Proteins that became phosphorylated were detected by autoradiography of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Several lines of evidence indicated that P24 was the beta-subunit of the plasma membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib, a glycoprotein that is essential for the adhesion of platelets to damaged subendothelium, for the rapid response of platelets to thrombin, and for the attachment of the membrane skeleton to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. P24 co-migrated with GP Ib beta on reduced gels (Mr = 24,000) and also on nonreduced gels (when GP Ib beta is disulfide-linked to GP Ib alpha and migrates with Mr = 170,000). Like GP Ib beta, P24 was associated with actin filaments in Triton X-100 lysates. Like GP Ib beta, it was selectively associated with filaments of the membrane skeleton and was released from filaments when the Ca2+-dependent protease was active. Antibodies against GP Ib immunoprecipitated P24 from platelet lysates. Finally, exposure of Bernard-Soulier platelets (which lack GP Ib) to prostaglandin E1 resulted in phosphorylation of other polypeptides, but not of P24. These studies show that P24, one of the major polypeptides phosphorylated when platelets are exposed to agents that inhibit platelet function by increasing the concentration of cyclic AMP, is the beta-subunit of GP Ib.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Spectrin is associated with membrane-bound actin filaments in platelets and is hydrolyzed by the Ca2+-dependent protease during platelet activation.

We recently showed that platelets contain submembranous actin filaments that are linked to glycoprotein (GP) Ib on the plasma membrane. In the present study, experiments were performed to determine whether spectrin was associated with these filaments. The membrane-bound filaments were isolated from Triton X-100 (Sigma, St Louis) lysates of unstimulated platelets by differential centrifugation. Platelet spectrin was detected immunologically by using antibodies against human brain and RBC spectrin. Immunoblots showed that platelet spectrin consisted of two polypeptides (mol wt 240,000 and 235,000) that were similar in apparent mol wt to those of the alpha and beta chains of brain spectrin but differed slightly from those of RBC spectrin (mol wt 240,000 and 220,000). Immunoprecipitation experiments identified platelet spectrin as two minor polypeptides migrating on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels between actin-binding protein (mol wt 250,000) and the platelet polypeptide P235 (mol wt 235,000). Immunoblots of fractions isolated from Triton X-100-lysed platelets revealed that the alpha and beta chains of platelet spectrin were associated almost entirely with the actin filaments that were linked to the plasma membrane. Little spectrin was recovered in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction or with the actin filaments that were not membrane bound. During activation of platelets with thrombin or ionophore A23187, the alpha and beta chains of spectrin were hydrolyzed, generating a major degradation product of mol wt 160,000 and a minor one of mol wt 170,000. These two hydrolytic products were also generated in Triton X-100 lysates incubated in the presence of Ca2+ but were not produced when lysates were treated with leupeptin, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), or N-ethylmaleimide, known inhibitors of the Ca2+-dependent protease. These experiments show that spectrin is a previously unidentified component of the membrane-bound actin filament network and that hydrolysis of spectrin by the Ca2+-dependent protease may regulate the interactions of the filaments during platelet activation.

Adult↗

Identification of two proteins (actin-binding protein and P235) that are hydrolyzed by endogenous Ca2+-dependent protease during platelet aggregation.

Our previous research has shown that the Ca2+-dependent protease within platelets is activated when platelets aggregate, resulting in the production of three polypeptides (Mr = 200,000, 100,000, and 91,000). We have now shown that these three polypeptides arise from the hydrolysis of actin-binding protein. An antibody against actin-binding protein raised in rabbits was shown to be specific for actin-binding protein on immunoblots of total platelet proteins. This antibody reacted with additional polypeptides of Mr = 200,000, 100,000, and 91,000 on immunoblots of the proteins of thrombin-activated platelets. Actin-binding protein was purified from fresh, human platelet concentrate and hydrolyzed with platelet-derived Ca2+-dependent protease; hydrolysis resulted in the appearance of three polypeptides with molecular weights and isoelectric points identical to those of the three polypeptides generated within intact, aggregating platelets. Production of these polypeptides was inhibited by leupeptin and by the chelation of Ca2+. Hydrolysis of actin-binding protein was observed at micromolar Ca2+ concentrations, demonstrating that the level of Ca2+ in aggregated platelets is sufficient to account for the hydrolysis of actin-binding protein by the Ca2+-dependent protease. P235 was also purified and tested for its susceptibility to the protease. It was hydrolyzed by the Ca2+-dependent protease, and two polypeptides (Mr = 200,000 and 46,000) were produced. Antibodies against P235 raised in rabbits reacted only with P235 on immunoblots of total platelet proteins. These antibodies also reacted with polypeptides of Mr = 200,000 and 46,000 on immunoblots of thrombin-activated platelets. These data show that both actin-binding protein and P235 are cleaved during thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and suggest that the activation of the Ca2+-dependent protease may permit reorganization of the platelet cytoskeleton in aggregating platelets.

Antibody Specificity↗

Actin filament content and organization in unstimulated platelets.

The extent of actin polymerization in unstimulated, discoid platelets was measured by DNase I inhibition assay in Triton X-100 lysates of platelets washed at 37 degrees C by gel filtration, or in Triton X-100 lysates of platelets washed at ambient temperatures by centrifugation in the presence of prostacyclin. About 40% of the actin in the discoid platelets obtained by either method existed as filaments. These filaments could be visualized by electron microscopy of thin sections. Similar results were obtained when the actin filament content of discoid platelets was measured by sedimentation of filaments from Triton X-100 lysates at high g forces (145,000 g for 45 min). However, few of these filaments sedimented at the lower g forces often used to isolate networks of actin filaments from cell extracts. These results indicate that actin filaments in discoid cells are not highly crosslinked. Platelets isolated by centrifugation in the absence of prostacyclin were not discoid, but were instead irregular with one or more pseudopodia. These platelets also contained approximately 40-50% of their actin in a filamentous form; many of these filaments sedimented at low g forces, however, indicating that they were organized into networks. The discoid shape of these centrifuged platelets could be restored by incubating them for 1-3 h at 37 degrees C, which resulted in the reversal of filament organization. High g forces were then required for the sedimentation of the actin. Approximately 80-90% of the actin in platelets washed at 4 degrees C was filamentous; this high actin filament content could be attributed to actin polymerization during the preparation of the platelets at low temperatures. These studies show that platelet activation involves mechanisms for the structural reorganization of existing filaments, in addition to those previously described for mediating actin polymerization.

Actins↗

Calcium-dependent proteolysis occurs during platelet aggregation.

Control and stimulated platelets were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine whether proteins are altered during platelet activation. Platelets were stimulated with thrombin, collagen, or the calcium ionophore A23187, and aggregation was brought about by stirring in the presence of Ca2+. These activated platelets contained at least three polypeptides not found in control platelets: 1) Mr = 200,000, pI between 6.2 and 6.4; 2) Mr = 100,000, pI = 6.3; and 3) Mr = 91,000, pI = 6.1. An additional polypeptide, polypeptide 4, with Mr = 97,000 and pI = 5.9, was present only in platelets activated by thrombin. When aggregation was prevented, either by adding 5 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) to the platelet suspension or by incubating the platelet suspension without stirring, polypeptides 1-3 were not formed. Partial hydrolysis of polypeptides 2 and 4 with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease yielded distinct sets of peptide hydrolytic fragments. These differed from those produced by the hydrolysis of alpha-actinin, a major platelet protein, which has a molecular weight similar to polypeptides 2 and 4. Polypeptides 1-3 were also produced during incubation of platelet lysates in the presence of Ca2+. Generation of these polypeptides in lysates was prevented either by chelation of Ca2+ with EGTA or by the addition of N-ethylmaleimide, leupeptin, or mersalyl, inhibitors of the calcium-dependent protease. These data show that the calcium-dependent protease is activated during aggregation of platelets by physiological agents and suggest that this protease could have a role in platelet response to stimulation.

Blood Platelets↗