Stimulation of Ca2+ efflux from fura-2-loaded platelets activated by thrombin or phorbol myristate acetate

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and forskolin modify muscarinic receptor-linked Ca2+ mobilization in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells through different mechanisms

The phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), which causes differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, reduces carbachol binding and carbachol-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization in these cells. The decrease in responsiveness to carbachol is due partially to a reduction in the amount of Ca2+ released by the cells and partially to a decrease in the sensitivity of the cells to carbachol. These effects probably can be attributed to a reduction in muscarinic receptor number and a decrease in receptor affinity, respectively. Forskolin, an alkaloid known to cause an increase in cellular cyclic AMP, enhances Ca2+ influx into the cells without affecting the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. The alkaloid causes an apparent restoration of the reduced Ca2+ release, caused by TPA, but does not affect the sensitivity of the cells to carbachol. Forskolin increases the decay of carbachol-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+. The effects of TPA appear to be linked directly to receptor function, whereas those of forskolin are due to the effect of cyclic AMP on cellular Ca2+ metabolism.

Mechanisms for activation and subsequent removal of cytosolic Ca2+ in bradykinin-stimulated neuronal and glial cell lines

Mechanisms for activation and for removal of cytosolic Ca2+ after stimulation with bradykinin were investigated in two neural cell lines by measuring cytosolic Ca2+ activity and 45Ca2+ fluxes. In the neuronal (neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid) and in the glial (rat glioma) cell lines, the transient, bradykinin-induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ activity (determined by fura-2 or indo-1 fluorescence) was blocked by a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Ca2+ ionophores (ionomycin and 4-Br-A23187) caused a comparable transient rise in cytosolic Ca2+ activity. After addition of ionophores, the Ca2+ response to bradykinin was reduced or completely blocked in both cell lines. At the concentrations used, the ionophores primarily depleted intracellular Ca2+ stores and prevented refilling of the stores. Thus, the bradykinin-induced rise of cytosolic Ca2+ activity seems to be mostly due to Ca2+ release from internal stores. In the neuronal but not in the glial cell line, a brief stimulation by bradykinin of 45Ca2+ uptake was followed by a long-lasting inhibition below control values. Thus, in the neuronal cells bradykinin presumably blocks Ca2+ channels by a readily reversible, pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanism. Excess cytosolic Ca2+ of the bradykinin-stimulated cells is mostly not resequestered into the internal Ca2+ pool accessible to bradykinin, but is mainly extruded through the plasma membrane, as indicated by (i) stimulation of 45Ca2+ release by bradykinin, (ii) quick reduction by bradykinin of cellular 45Ca2+ content of cells preequilibrated with 45Ca2+, and (iii) diminution of the ionophore-inducible Ca2+ response after the addition of bradykinin.

Calcium efflux across the plasma membrane of rat parotid acinar cells is unaffected by receptor activation or by the microsomal calcium ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin

The rate of Ca2+ extrusion across the plasma membrane of rat parotid acinar cells was determined by measuring the decay of the intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, following the addition of EGTA to agonist stimulated cells. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, the muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist, methacholine, rapidly increased [Ca2+]i (peaking within 5 s), which then decreased to a higher steady state level. This elevated steady state level was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Likewise, thapsigargin, a non-phorbol ester tumor promoter that does not increase inositol phosphates, gradually increased [Ca2+]i, peaking within 1 min and then declining to a new elevated plateau level which was also dependent on extracellular Ca2+. [Ca2+]i, elevated by methacholine or thapsigargin, was rapidly decreased by the addition of EGTA by a process the kinetics of which depended on the value of [Ca2+]i before the addition of EGTA. That is, [Ca2+]i increased as a function of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration and also the apparent half-time for Ca2+ extrusion following the addition of EGTA to cells was increased as the [Ca2+]i increased. This presumably reflects the saturable nature of the Ca2+ extrusion mechanism. The steady state [Ca2+]i in cells stimulated with methacholine or thapsigargin in nominally Ca2+ free medium was similar to the steady state [Ca2+]i in unstimulated cells in normal, Ca2(+)-containing medium. Under these similar [Ca2+]i conditions, stimulated and unstimulated cells showed a similar time course of decay upon addition of EGTA. In addition, neither methacholine nor phorbol myristate acetate decreased the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by ionomycin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Flow-cytometric detection of surface membrane alterations and concomitant changes in the cytoskeletal actin status of activated platelets

Occlusive vascular diseases are promoted by a "prethrombotic state" with increased platelet activity. Polymerization of cytoskeletal proteins and exposure of subcellular structures or rebinding of secreted proteins have been characterized as early reactions after platelet activation preceding adhesion and aggregation. Here, we demonstrate the kinetic increase in specific binding of monoclonal antibodies to thrombospondin (P10) and to platelet membrane activation markers CD63 (GP53, a 53 kD lysosomal protein) and CD62 (GMP140, a 140 kD alpha granule protein) by using a flow-cytometric bio-assay and the related change in the actin status by using the DNase-I inhibition assay after stimulation of normal human platelets with 0.2 U/ml thrombin. F-actin was raised from 41% to 51% of total platelet actin content 30 s after stimulation and remained thereafter constant (50% at 60 s). Simultaneously, the percentage of P10, CD63, and CD62 positive platelets was elevated from 5.4%, 24.4%, and 9.1% to 67.4%, 80.2%, and 82.3% respectively. The mean number of P10, CD63, and CD62 antibody binding sites increased from 3,300, 1,715, and 2,146 to 6,400, 6,800, and 9,016 per platelet. Conclusively, changes in the organization of the cytoskeletal protein "actin" and exposure of subcellular structures indicating platelet secretion can be regarded as markers of early platelet activation. Thus, the parallel response in both analytical systems provides further support for the diagnostic concept of flow-cytometric detection of preactivated platelets in the peripheral blood by using fluochrome staining procedures detecting activation dependent structural alterations directly at the cellular level.

Activation of protein kinase C in human neutrophils attenuates agonist-stimulated rises in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration by inhibiting bivalent-cation influx and intracellular Ca2+ release in addition to stimulating Ca2+ efflux

Stimulation of fura-2-loaded human neutrophils with formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or ionomycin elevated the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+], to a maintained elevated level. Activation of protein kinase C (C-kinase) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate or dioctanoylglycerol caused decreases in [Ca2+]i from this level. 4 alpha-Phorbol didecanoate, which does not activate C-kinase, had no effect. These results confirm previous reports that C-kinase activation decreases neutrophil [Ca2+]i by stimulating removal of Ca2+ from the cytosol. Further experiments showed that activation of C-kinase attenuated the component of the FMLP-stimulated [Ca2+]i rise that was dependent on external Ca2+. C-kinase activation also inhibited FMLP-stimulated entry of the quenching cation, Mn2+, used as an indicator of bivalent-cation entry. In contrast, C-kinase activation caused only a partial inhibition of FMLP-stimulated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. 4 alpha-Phorbol didecanoate was ineffective in inhibiting Ca2+ entry, Mn2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release. Addition of FMLP also stimulated a decrease in the ionomycin-elevated [Ca2+]i, and this effect was blocked by staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor. These results show that, in addition to stimulating Ca2+ efflux, C-kinase activation in neutrophils inhibits FMLP-stimulated entry of bivalent cations, and partially inhibits intracellular release of Ca2+. Further, FMLP itself can modulate [Ca2+]i by activation of C-kinase.

Calcium sequestration in human platelets: is it stimulated by protein kinase C?

Sequestration of calcium into an intracellular storage site is an important mechanism in helping to maintain a low cytoplasmic Ca2+ level in many cells. In platelets, increasing cytoplasmic cAMP lowers the free calcium level in correlation with the phosphorylation of a 22 kD protein. This protein has been thought to enhance uptake of calcium into a platelet membrane bound storage site by activating a calcium-ATPase activity by analogy with phospholamban in cardiac muscle. The evidence for an analogue of phospholamban in platelets is unclear. A pathway involving cAMP dependent kinase also seems unlikely to account for the transience of the calcium signal following agonists in platelets, some of which inhibit the cAMP dependent kinase. Here we discuss the issue of whether activation of protein kinase C, which follows agonist action, leads to enhanced calcium sequestration in platelets and if so, what indications there are for a mechanism. The evidence from our experiments with phorbol myristate acetate treated platelets shows that such an enhancement can be produced by activating protein kinase C. Phosphorylation studies suggest the involvement of a polypeptide or polypeptides distinct from the 22 kD polypeptide. Further work to test this idea is necessary. A brief overview of research on the role of phosphoproteins in calcium regulation in platelets and comparison with their role in cardiac muscle is also presented.

Effects of sodium removal on calcium mobilization and dense granule secretion induced by thrombin in human platelets

Removal of extracellular sodium decreased calcium mobilization from intracellular stores induced by thrombin in aspirin-treated human platelets. ATP and serotonin secretion were also significantly reduced. Secretion was positively correlated with calcium mobilization, but the presence or absence of sodium did not modify the slope of the regression line. Half-maximal secretion was reached when [Ca2+]i was increased by about 0.1 microM. Calcium mobilization induced by the divalent cation ionophore ionomycin was not modified by sodium removal. Secretion induced by ionomycin was much smaller than the thrombin-induced one for the same increases of [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the presence of external sodium is required for normal thrombin-induced calcium release from the intracellular stores and hence for dense granule secretion. However, secretion cannot be only attributed to the increase of cell [Ca2+]i but also to other process(es) which are not affected by external sodium.

Human alpha-thrombin induces phosphoinositide turnover and Ca2+ movements in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This report shows that purified human alpha-thrombin was able to stimulate a rapid and transient formation of water-soluble phosphorylated 3H-inositols in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) prelabelled with 3H-inositol. A parallel breakdown and resynthesis of 3H-inositol-containing phospholipids was observed. Simultaneously, thrombin induced a transient increase of intracellular free Ca2+[( Ca2+]i), as measured from increased fluorescence of quin2 loaded cells. Phosphoinositide turnover and Ca2+ mobilization showed a similar dependence on thrombin dose. [Ca2+]i rise resulted from both influx from extracellular medium and redistribution from intracellular storage sites. On the other hand thrombin-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis was not dependent on [Ca2+]i rise. [Ca2+]i elevation might be, at least partially, a consequence of increased phosphoinositide turnover, as suggested by [Ca2+]-mobilizing activity of inositol-trisphosphate in other cells.

Influence of sodium conductances on platelet activation

The effects of extracellular Na+ and tetrodotoxin on resting membrane potential, cytosolic free Ca2+ levels and aggregation of human platelets have been studied. Neither the decrease in extracellular Na+-concentration (from 140 mmol/l to 0 mmol/l) nor the addition of tetrodotoxin (10(-7) to 10(-5) mol/l) modified the platelet membrane potential. Zero extracellular Na+ concentration or the presence of tetrodotoxin in the medium inhibited platelet aggregation; however, K+-depolarized platelets showed an unchanged aggregation induced by ADP or thrombin in media with zero or low extracellular Na+ concentrations or in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Moreover, zero extracellular Na+ concentration or tetrodotoxin inhibited calcium mobilization in platelets during activation induced by thrombin. Hence, voltage-dependent activation linked to Na+ influx appears to be necessary for ADP- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation under control conditions. Mechanisms for the role of Na+ conductances in platelet function are discussed.

Phosphorylation-dependent and -independent pathways of platelet aggregation

We have used the non-specific inhibitor of protein kinases, staurosporine, to investigate the role of protein phosphorylation during aggregation, the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+)i and intracellular pH (pHi) in thrombin-stimulated platelets. The concentration of staurosporine chosen for these studies, 1 microM, was previously reported to inhibit protein phosphorylation completely but to have no effect on the activation of phospholipase C in thrombin-stimulated human platelets [Watson, McNally, Shipman & Godfrey (1988) Biochem. J. 249, 345-350]. Aggregation induced by phorbol dibutyrate is slow (several minutes) and is inhibited completely by staurosporine. In contrast, aggregation induced by thrombin, platelet-activating factor or ionophore A23187 is rapid (occurs within 60 s), and is slowed, but not inhibited, in the presence of staurosporine. On the other hand, staurosporine causes a small potentiation of the peak [Ca2+]i signal induced by thrombin and a marked increase in the half-life of decay of this signal, but has no effect on pHi. Under conditions designed to prevent an increase in [Ca2+]i (presence of Ni2+ to prevent Ca2+ entry, and depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ stores), aggregation induced by thrombin resembles that by phorbol dibutyrate and is now inhibited completely by staurosporine. Taken together, these results provide evidence for two signalling pathways for aggregation, a relatively rapid phosphorylation-independent route mediated by Ca2+ and a slower, phosphorylation-dependent, pathway mediated by protein kinase C. Since staurosporine slows aggregation induced by thrombin, it appears that under normal conditions these pathways interact synergistically.

Phorbol ester desensitization of clonal insulin-releasing cell response to carbachol involves depletion of an intracellular calcium pool

The mechanism by which 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) desensitizes carbachol mobilization of glucose-incorporated calcium (Ca2+) was studied in clonal insulin-releasing cells (RINm5F) using colour indicators and dual wavelength spectrophotometry. The net uptake of Ca2+ stimulated by 20 mM glucose reached saturation after 19 +/- 2 min when it corresponded to 1.21 +/- 0.09 mmol calcium kg-1 protein. Carbachol then induced a release of 0.21 +/- 0.03 mmol calcium kg-1 protein. Half of the remaining Ca2+ was liberated by antimycin A and the rest with the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187. When 0.1 microM TPA was added initially, the cells lost 0.29 +/- 0.08 mmol calcium kg-1 protein within 10 min. The subsequent addition of glucose resulted in a sluggish uptake of only 0.58 +/- 0.09 mmol calcium kg-1 protein reaching equilibrium after 35 +/- 3 min. Carbachol now failed to induce any Ca2+ release. The actions of TPA were essentially unchanged by previous exposure to glucose, removal of Na+ from the medium and even when some of the glucose-incorporated Ca2+ had been liberated with carbachol. The results indicate that TPA desensitization of carbachol-induced mobilization of Ca2+ in the RINm5F cells is due to the disappearance of Ca2+ from the sensitive pool, an effect which may depend on stimulated extrusion of Ca2+ from the cells by the (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase.

Demonstration of Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux using low concentrations of fluorometric Ca2+ probes

The effects of different concentrations of the fluorometric Ca2+ probes, fura-2 and indo-1, on Ca2+ transients in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells were examined. When stimulated with the agonists, angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin, cells incubated with low concentrations of fura-2 or indo-1 (less than 1 microM) produced Ca2+ transients characterized by a small increase followed by a dramatic decrease in fluorescence below the original baseline. This effect of agonists was concentration-dependent, reversible, and blocked by receptor antagonists. In contrast to the agonists, stimulation of Ca2+ transients with depolarizing concentrations of K+ or with caffeine did not produce decreases in fluorescence and Ca2+ levels at any loading concentration of probe. The decrease in Ca2+ observed with agonists was dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+. These data suggest that under certain loading conditions, fluorescent Ca2+ indicators measure agonist-stimulated Ca2+ efflux mediated by a Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism.

Calcium mobilizing hormones activate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump of pancreatic acinar cells

45Ca fluxes and free-cytosolic Ca2+([Ca2+]i) measurements were used to study the effect of Ca2+-mobilizing hormones on plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability and the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump of pancreatic acinar cells. We showed before (Pandol, S.J., et al., 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:16963-16968) that hormone stimulation of pancreatic acinar cells activated a plasma membrane Ca2+ entry pathway, which remains activated for as long as the intracellular stores are not loaded with Ca2+. In the present study, we show that activation of this pathway increases the plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability by approximately sevenfold. Despite that, the cells reduce [Ca2+]i back to near resting levels. To compensate for the increased plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability, a plasma membrane Ca2+ efflux mechanism is also activated by the hormones. This mechanism is likely to be the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. Activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump by the hormones is time dependent and 1.5-2 min of cell stimulation are required for maximal Ca2+ pump activation. From the effect of protein kinase inhibitors on hormone-mediated activation of the pump and the effect of the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol, 13-acetate (TPA) on plasma membrane Ca2+ efflux, it is suggested that stimulation of protein kinase C is required for the hormone-dependent activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump.

Mechanism of cellular effect of phorbol esters on action of arginine vasopressin and angiotensin II on rat vascular smooth muscle cells in culture

The inhibitory effect of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) on the Ca2+-mobilization mechanisms by arginine vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin II (AII) was analysed in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture. PMA inhibited the Ca2+-mobilizing effect of both AVP and AII in a dose-dependent manner, including the rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ ( [Ca2+]i) and Ca2+ efflux. In addition, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) production induced by AVP or AII was more than 50% reduced by PMA. The involvement of protein kinase C was implicated by the diminution of the PMA effect by the specific protein kinase C inhibitor isoquinoline-sulphonyl-O-2-methylpiperazine (H7) and the lack of effect of an inactive phorbol. Thus, these results suggest that there is a blocking site that is common or similar for both AVP and AII signal transduction, and that it is a substrate for protein kinase C. This blocking action of protein kinase C occurred at least in part by inhibition of IP3 production and, subsequently, a reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ release. In the presence of ionomycin, which produces an increase in [Ca2+]i that is not altered by PMA, 45Ca2+ efflux was increased instead of inhibited by PMA, thus suggesting that protein kinase C activation also stimulates a Ca2+-extrusion mechanism in VSMC.

Regulation of platelet phospholipase C

We have investigated factors affecting the activation of phospholipase C in human platelets. Prior exposure of platelets to phorbol esters that stimulated protein kinase C inhibits the activation of phospholipase C in response to a variety of receptor-directed agonists, including alpha- and gamma-thrombin and thromboxane A2 analogues. Such activation has been assayed by measurements of accumulated InsP3 (including Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4)P3) and PtdOH. Inhibition is not overcome by Ca2+ ionophores, and substances that block or mimic Na+-H+ exchange neither block nor mimic these inhibitory effects. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, other agents known to inhibit phospholipase C activation, do not accumulate in platelets exposed to phorbol esters. Although a portion of the effects of phorbol ester on InsP3 accumulation may be explained by 5-phosphomonoesterase activity, it is likely that more direct effects on phospholipase C are being exerted as well, and contribute the major inhibitory route. We have examined the susceptibility of adenylyl cyclase-associated Gi and 'Gp'-activated phospholipase C to inhibitory ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin-derived enzyme (S1 protomer) administered to saponin-permeabilized platelets. The effects of alpha-thrombin on adenylyl cyclase can be inhibited by up to 50% by S1, at which point inhibition of phospholipase C is barely detectable. Thromboxane A2 analogues, which do not affect adenylyl cyclase (Gi), stimulate phospholipase C; this effect is not impaired by S1. We therefore propose that the inhibitory effects of phorbol esters on the activation of phospholipase C are not mediated primarily by effects on Gi.

A novel tumour promoter, thapsigargin, transiently increases cytoplasmic free Ca2+ without generation of inositol phosphates in NG115-401L neuronal cells

Thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone with potent irritant and tumour-promoting activities, stimulates a rapid (within 15 s) transient increase in intracellular [Ca2+] in the NG115-401L neural cell line, as measured by the fluorescent indicator dye fura-2. This increase in cytoplasmic free [Ca2+] is concentration-dependent (ED50 around 20 nM) and occurs in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Activation of NG115-401L cells by the inflammatory peptide bradykinin generates inositol phosphates, which parallel increases in intracellular [Ca2+]. However, the rise in cytoplasmic [Ca2+] stimulated by thapsigargin occurs in the absence of detectable production of inositol phosphates. Thapsigargin is unlike phorboid tumour promoters in that it has no action on two non-invasive indicators of phorbol stimulation of these cells, i.e. [3H]choline metabolite production and rise in intracellular pH. These data suggest that thapsigargin releases Ca2+ from an intracellular store by a novel mechanism, independent of the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and concomitant activation of protein kinase C. Thus thapsigargin may provide a valuable tool for the analysis of intracellular signalling mechanisms.

Identification of small peptide analogues having agonist and antagonist activity at the platelet thrombin receptor

Two tripeptide analogues (N-[3-methyl-1-S[[2-S [(methyl-amino)carbonyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl] carbonyl]butyl-D-analine) (SC40476) and N-[3-methyl-S-(1-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)butyl]-D-alanine, ethyl ester, hydrochloride (SC42619], inhibit aggregation of, and secretion from, human platelets induced by thrombin but cause no significant inhibition of esterolysis or fibrin formation catalysed by this enzyme. Inhibition by SC40476 of the aggregatory response induced by thrombin is incomplete. Neither peptide analogue inhibits aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, vasopressin or 11,9-epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2 (U-46619). Enhancement of the response is observed when nonsaturating concentrations of these agonists are employed. SC42619 causes a parallel shift to the right in the concentration-response curve describing aggregation induced by thrombin. The Schild plot of these data has a slope of 1.05 and the pA2 is 2.9 +/- 0.1. Both SC40476 and SC42619 induced a small but significant decrease in the single platelet content of platelet suspensions. Neither peptide analogue increases platelet cytosolic [Ca2+] measured using quin 2 or Fura 2. Both analogues cause inhibition of the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] induced by thrombin. Inhibition by SC42619 is competitive with respect to thrombin when the extracellular [Ca2+] is reduced to less than 0.1 microM but is non-competitive in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+. SC42619 also inhibits the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]induced by ADP in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+ but not the smaller increase caused by this agonist when the medium contains less than 0.1 microM Ca2+. SC42619 inhibits Mn2+ influx induced by thrombin and ADP. SC40476 and SC42619 inhibit the enhanced incorporation of [32P] into phosphatidic acid observed on stimulation by thrombin of platelets pre-labelled with [32P]-phosphate. Addition of the peptide analogues alone fails to increase significantly the 32P content of phosphatidate, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylethanolamine. SC40476 causes no detectable hydrolysis of glycoprotein V as detected by release of the proteolytic product (glycoprotein VFR). The results indicate that SC40476 and SC42619 interact selectively with the platelet thrombin receptor. Both peptide analogues act as effective antagonists for this receptor but also possess weak agonist activity which may also result from interaction with the thrombin receptor. The molecular basis for this latter activity has not been defined. SC42619 non-selectively inhibits Ca2+ influx induced by several agonists but this effect does not appear to contribute to the observed inhibition of the aggregatory and secretory responses.

Thrombin-induced changes of intracellular [Ca2+] and pH in human platelets. Cytoplasmic alkalinization is not a prerequisite for calcium mobilization

We have studied the effects of thrombin (0.1 U/ml) on intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and pH (pHi) in human platelets loaded with fluorescent indicators. Thrombin produced a transient decrease of pHi which reached its maximum within 15-25 seconds (s) and was followed by a sustained alkalinization which brought pHi above the resting value. [Ca2+]i increased transiently peaking at 5-10 s. The late alkalinization induced by thrombin was antagonized by ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+-H+ exchange, and by sphingosine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, with little effect on the [Ca2+]i transient. The early acidification was not inhibited by these treatments. We conclude tha the thrombin-induced changes of [Ca2+]i and pHi are mediated by different mechanisms. The late alkalinization is due to activation of Na+/H+ exchange mediated by protein kinase C and, contrarily to previous proposals (Siffert, W. and Akkerman, J.W.N. (1987) Nature 325, 456-458), it is not necessary for calcium mobilization from intracellular stores.

Cytosolic calcium in platelet activation

Experiments with permeabilised platelets, and with intact platelets loaded with fluorescent Ca2+-indicators, over the past several years have greatly extended our knowledge and understanding of cytosolic Ca2+ as a platelet activator and its interactions with other cytosolic regulators. This article outlines insights, gained from the use of the fluorescent dyes, into maintenance and restoration of basal [Ca2+]i, mechanisms of receptor-mediated Ca2+-mobilisation and quantitation of [Ca2+]i/response relations in intact human platelets.

The action of the protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, on human platelets. Evidence against a regulatory role for protein kinase C in the formation of inositol trisphosphate by thrombin

The ability of several putative inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) to block dioctanoylglycerol (DC8)-induced phosphorylation of a 47 kDa protein (a recognized substrate for PKC) in human platelets was investigated. Staurosporine (1 microM) caused complete inhibition of phosphorylation, whereas the other reagents were either inactive (polymyxin B) or gave only partial inhibition (C-1, H-7, tamoxifen). Staurosporine (1 microM) fully inhibited the phosphorylation of the 47 kDa protein in platelets challenged with thrombin, but also inhibited the phosphorylation of a 20 kDa protein which is a substrate for myosin light-chain kinase. The inhibition of both kinases by staurosporine was associated with the inhibition of thrombin-induced secretion of ATP and 5-hydroxytryptamine and a slowing of the aggregation response; staurosporine, however, had no effect on the formation of phosphatidic acid and inositol phosphates induced by thrombin. Staurosporine also reversed the inhibitory action of phorbol esters on thrombin-induced formation of phosphatidic acid. These data are consistent with a role for these two kinases in secretion and aggregation (although there must be additional control signals, since aggregation was only slowed, not inhibited), but suggest that neither kinase is involved in the regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism. This latter conclusion contradicts previous observations that the activation of PKC by phorbol esters or membrane-permeable diacylglycerols alters the apparent activity of both phospholipase C and inositol trisphosphatase. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.

Comparison of the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and prostaglandin E1 on calcium regulation in human platelets

We compared the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) with those of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the calcium transient in intact platelets and on 45Ca2+ uptake in saponin-treated platelets and microsomal fractions to determine the roles of protein kinase C and cyclic AMP in calcium sequestration. In intact platelets, PMA, like PGE1, stimulated the return of the calcium transient to resting values after a thrombin stimulus, but only the PGE1 effect was reversed by adrenaline. Both PMA and PGE1, when added before saponin, stimulated ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake into the permeabilized platelets. Thrombin also stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake into saponin-treated platelets. Uptake of 45Ca2+ was increased in microsomal preparations from platelets pretreated with PMA or PGE1. PMA did not increase the cyclic AMP content of control or thrombin-treated platelets, and it induced a pattern of protein phosphorylation in 32P-labelled platelets different from that with PGE1. In correlation with the increased uptake of calcium in the saponin-treated preparation, we measured a rapid translocation of protein kinase C from supernatant to cell fraction after the addition of PMA. Our results suggest that activation of protein kinase C enhances calcium sequestration independently of an effect on cyclic AMP content in platelets. This activation could play a physiological role in the regulation of the calcium transient.

Stimulated calcium efflux from fura-2-loaded human platelets

1. The reduction of cytoplasmic free calcium, [Ca2+]i following stimulation, has been investigated in fura-2-loaded human platelets in the presence of low extracellular calcium concentration. Thrombin produced a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i which then fell back to the basal level within 2 min. 2. Ionomycin produced a rapid elevation in [Ca2+]i which then declined to a plateau well above the basal calcium level. The addition of thrombin after ionomycin accelerated the decline in [Ca2+]i back towards basal levels, an action mimicked by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). 3. Thrombin promoted the efflux of 45Ca2+ from cells co-loaded with fura-2 and the isotope. Ionomycin also promoted an efflux of 45Ca2+ which was increased by the subsequent addition of thrombin or PMA. These results confirm the ability of thrombin and PMA to stimulate Ca2+ removal from the cells. 4. The complete substitution of extracellular Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) did not alter the time course of the return of [Ca2+]i to basal following stimulation by thrombin, nor the ability of thrombin or PMA to promote Ca2+ efflux after elevation of [Ca2+]i by ionomycin. 5. The insensitivity to external Na+ suggests that the stimulated Ca2+ efflux is mediated by a Ca2+-ATPase rather than Na+-Ca2+ exchange. This pump does not appear to be activated by Ca2+-calmodulin since [Ca2+]i remains high when elevated by ionomycin. The ability of PMA to stimulate removal suggests that its known target, protein kinase C, can stimulate the Ca2+ pump. Forskolin, which stimulates adenylate cyclase, did not stimulate a fall in [Ca2+]i in the presence of ionomycin, indicating that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase does not stimulate Ca2+ extrusion.