1,2-Diacylglycerols do not potentiate the action of phospholipases A2 and C in human platelets

Daphnoretin, a new protein kinase C activator isolated from Wikstroemia indica C.A. Mey

Daphnoretin, a biologically active principle isolated from Wikstroemia indica C.A. Mey., caused platelet aggregation in washed rabbit platelets, platelet-rich plasma and whole blood. The aggregation of and ATP release from platelets induced by daphnoretin were similar to phorbol ester- and diacylglycerol-induced aggregation and release. The EC50 values of daphnoretin-, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)- and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG)-induced platelet aggregation in washed rabbit platelets were 17.2 +/- 2.8 microM, 20.6 +/- 2.1 nM and 38.6 +/- 1.7 microM respectively. Platelet aggregation induced by daphnoretin and PDBu was not inhibited by indomethacin, BN52021 or sodium nitroprusside. ADP-scavenging systems, apyrase and phosphocreatine/creatine kinase, showed weak inhibition of the aggregation, and EGTA, triflavin, verapamil and prostaglandin E1 markedly inhibited the aggregation. Staurosporine, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, suppressed daphnoretin-, PDBu- and OAG-induced aggregation and ATP release in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values of staurosporine on daphnoretin (50 microM)-, PDBu (100 nM)- and OAG (50 microM)-induced aggregation were 37.7 +/- 8.3, 52.2 +/- 6.3 and 42.8 +/- 8.9 nM respectively. Daphnoretin did not cause significant thromboxane B2 formation in rabbit platelets. Neither daphnoretin nor PDBu caused [3H]inositol monophosphate formation or an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in myo-[3H]inositol-labelled and Fura-2-loaded platelets. Platelet cytosolic protein kinase C was activated by daphnoretin and PDBu in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 12.4 +/- 1.2 microM and 18.7 +/- 1.4 nM respectively. Membrane-associated protein kinase C activity was increased by either daphnoretin or PDBu. [3H]PDBu binding to washed rabbit platelets was inhibited by daphnoretin in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 45.2 +/- 5.2 microM. These results indicate that daphnoretin is a protein kinase C activator in rabbit platelets.

The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, R59949, potentiates secretion but not increased phosphorylation of a 47 kDalton protein in human platelets

We have investigated the action of a novel inhibitor of DG-kinase, R59949. This agent was found to produce partial inhibition of formation of phosphatidic acid in human platelets challenged with thrombin, DC8 or OAG. However, this effect was not associated with enhanced phosphorylation of a 47 kDa protein, a known substrate for protein kinase C. We therefore believe that this compound does not represent a major advance on its earlier prototype, R59022.

Epinephrine and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 synergistically induce platelet aggregation without protein kinase C activation

Aspirin-pretreated, 32P-prelabeled, washed human platelets resuspended in a buffer containing apyrase and 2% plasma were exposed to epinephrine and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Epinephrine potentiated platelet aggregation (not secretion), the production of [32P]phosphatidic acid and myosin light chain phosphorylation induced by A23187. No phosphorylation of the 40 kDa protein, the substrate of protein kinase C, was observed. We conclude that G1-protein activation evoked by epinephrine and Ca2+ mobilization caused by A23187 represents a novel synergism for platelet aggregation and that protein kinase C activation, under these conditions is not needed for platelet aggregation.

Dissimilar effects of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on fatty acid synthesis in isolated rat-liver cells

Exogenous 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) is known to mimic the action of tumour-promoting phorbol esters in various cell types. However, in isolated rat hepatocytes OAG depressed the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis and the activity of the key enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2), in contrast to the pronounced stimulation of both parameters by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The inhibition by OAG appeared to be dose- and time-dependent. On the other hand, medium-chain 1,2-diacylglycerols like 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol did mimic the stimulatory action of PMA. The anomalous effect of OAG may well be explained by its metabolic breakdown leading to liberation of oleate and subsequent inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity by endogenously formed oleoyl-CoA. The stimulatory effects of both PMA and medium-chain diacylglycerols are likely to be mediated by protein kinase C.

Human platelet activation by bacterial phospholipase C: mechanism of inhibition by flurazepam

We have shown earlier that phospholipase C (PLC) from Clostridium perfringens causes platelet activation possibly by inducing turnover of phosphoinositides and phosphorylation of a 47,000 Dalton protein (P47). Moreover, only 15 microM and 11 microM flurazepam inhibits PLC-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion by 50% respectively. This study was conducted to better understand the mechanism of platelet activation by PLC and its inhibition by flurazepam. Incubation of (14C)-arachidonic acid labelled platelets with PLC produced diacylglycerol in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flurazepam did not inhibit diacylglycerol production by PLC. Paranitrophenolphosphorylcholine and prostaglandin E1 inhibited diacylglycerol production by 75% and 20% respectively. In a platelet-free system PLC hydrolyzed 14C-choline-phosphatidylcholine (14C-PC) in a time- and calcium ions-dependent manner. Flurazepam had no effect on PLC-induced hydrolysis of 14C-PC. Platelet cytosolic fraction (PCF), containing phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC (PI-PLC), hydrolyzed (3H-inositol)-phosphatidylinositol (3H-PI) in a platelet-free system. Flurazepam did not inhibit hydrolysis of 3H-PI by PCF. Phospholipase C caused phosphorylation of P47 in 32P-labelled platelets. Flurazepam did not block phosphorylation of P47 in the first three minutes and had very little inhibitory effect by five minutes. However, flurazepam completely blocked phosphorylation of P47 by seven minutes. Platelet aggregation induced by ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, was completely inhibited by 100 microM flurazepam whereas platelet aggregation induced by 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which mimics the action of diacylglycerol, was partially inhibited by 300 microM flurazepam. These findings suggest that PLC induced platelet activation depends, at least in part, on diacylglycerol production and phosphorylation of P47. These data also suggest that flurazepam does not inhibit PLC-induced platelet activation by inhibiting: (a) the production of diacylglycerol from phosphatidylcholine; and (b) the action of PI-PLC on phosphatidylinositol. The ability of flurazepam to inhibit ionomycin-induced platelet aggregation indicates that flurazepam is able to block platelet activation by inhibiting the increase in free cytosolic calcium ions in platelets or by inhibiting a step subsequent to the rise in intraplatelet calcium ions.

Stimulation of Ca2+-activated human platelet phospholipase A2 by diacylglycerol

We examined the effect of diacylglycerol on Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2 from human platelets. Phospholipase A2 was solubilized and partially purified to a stable form in the presence of n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (octyl glucoside), and its enzymic activity was determined with sonicated 2.5 microM-1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (arachidonoyl-PC) as substrate. Phospholipase A2 activity was increased when diacylglycerol was incorporated into the substrate arachidonoyl-PC. Stimulation was maximal in the presence of greater than or equal to 29 mol% (1 microM) diacylglycerol, and was greater than 4-fold for both 1,2-dioleoylglycerol and 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoylglycerol. 1-Stearoyl-2-arachidonoylglycerol at concentrations of 2-5 mol% increased phospholipase A2 activity 1.3-1.8-fold. Exogenously added 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol also enhanced phospholipase A2 activity, producing a maximal stimulation of 1.6-fold at a concentration of 25 microM. Comparative studies conducted with pancreatic, bee-venom and snake-venom phospholipase A2 showed that the activity of these extracellular phospholipases towards the arachidonoyl-PC substrate was also increased by diacylglycerol, but stimulation was less than observed for platelet phospholipase A2. Our results suggest that diacylglycerol, known to be generated in stimulated platelets, may enhance Ca2+-activated phospholipase A2.

Neomycin cannot be used as a selective inhibitor of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in intact or semi-permeabilized human platelets. Aminoglycosides activate semi-permeabilized platelets

High concentrations of neomycin (2-10 mM) inhibited aggregation, but not shape change, of intact platelets by collagen, ADP and the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, the last two studies being carried out in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. In contrast, over the same range of concentrations neomycin inhibited both aggregation and shape change induced by thrombin. Under these conditions activation of platelets by collagen and by thrombin, but not by A23187 or by ADP, is believed to be dependent on the hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids. These data therefore suggest that the inhibitory action of neomycin on intact platelets is not related to its previously reported inhibitory effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. The selective inhibition of thrombin-induced shape change indicates a second site of action of neomycin on intact platelets. On platelets rendered semi-permeable with saponin, neomycin and a second aminoglycoside antibiotic, streptomycin (each 0.06-2 mM), stimulated secretion and aggregation responses. These effects were inhibited by indomethacin and by EGTA. Activation of semi-permeabilized platelets by neomycin is associated with the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, indicating activation by phospholipase C. This effect is also inhibited by indomethacin, implying that it is secondary to the formation of prostaglandins and endoperoxides. These results are discussed in the context of the use of neomycin as a selective inhibitor of polyphosphoinositide metabolism.

Diacylglycerol induces deacylation of phosphatidylinositol and mobilization of arachidonic acid in mouse macrophages. Comparison with induction by phorbol diester

1,2-Dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (2-50 microM) was found, like phorbol myristate acetate (greater than or equal to 3 nM) to stimulate phospholipase A-type cleavage of phosphatidylinositol and the release of arachidonic acid from macrophage phospholipids. The 1,3 isomer of dioctanoylglycerol was inactive, whereas racemic 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol was half as potent as the 1,2-sn enantiomer. Dioctanoylglycerol-induced deacylation of phosphatidylinositol was only partly dependent on extracellular calcium but was more severely inhibited by depletion of intracellular calcium. Chlorpromazine inhibited the deacylation of phosphatidylinositol, whereas inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase were ineffective. Since both phorbol myristate acetate and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol are known to activate protein kinase C, the results suggest that this kinase is involved in the sequence of events leading to release of arachidonic acid in macrophages.

Treatment of human platelets with trypsin, thrombin, or collagen inhibits the pertussis toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation of a 41-kDa protein

Permeabilization of human platelets with saponin (15-25 micrograms/ml) allows the determination of the ADP-ribosylation of a 41-kDa protein by pertussis toxin. The ADP-ribosylated protein is present in the particulate fraction. ADP-ribosylation of the 41-kDa protein increases for 20 min; it is not affected by indomethacin, prostacyclin, and 1,2-diacylglycerols but is inhibited by 1 mM Ca2+ and phorbol esters. Treatment of platelets with trypsin, thrombin, or collagen before saponin addition precludes subsequent pertussis toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation of the 41-kDa protein. The effect of trypsin or thrombin is blocked by soybean trypsin inhibitor and leupeptin. Trypsin proteolytically cleaves the ADP-ribosylated 41-kDa protein to an ADP-ribosylated fragment slightly smaller than 20 kDa. The results suggest that a modification of a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein is associated with the actions of trypsin, thrombin, and collagen on platelet activation.

Intracellular activation of protein kinase C and regulation of the surface transferrin receptor by diacylglycerol is a spontaneously reversible process that is associated with rapid formation of phosphatidic acid

The effect of the synthetic diacylglycerol, sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), on the expression of the surface transferrin receptor reveals that exogenous diC8 can act as an intracellular activator of protein kinase C and stimulate both down-regulation and increased receptor phosphorylation in a manner similar to that induced by the active tumor promotor, 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. Unlike the spontaneously irreversible effect noted when 4 beta-phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate is added, this same effect mediated by diC8 is brief, lasting only minutes, and is spontaneously reversible. The rate of reversibility is dependent on the concentration of diC8 added, and it is associated with rapid formation of a newly detected intracellular phospholipid that corresponds to sn-1,2-dioctanoyl phosphatidic acid. These data, in conjunction with findings that demonstrate that exogenous diacylglycerols (including diC8) when added to cells do not stimulate cellular phospholipase A2 or C, argue that protein kinase C is activated only briefly in this system since exogenous diC8 is subject to rapid intracellular metabolism to phosphatidic acid.

Lack of inhibition of thrombin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels and 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion by 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol in human platelets

The effect of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) on the thrombin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine ([14C]5HT) secretion was studied. In washed human platelets prelabelled with [14C]5HT and quin 2, OAG (10-50 micrograms/ml) induced no significant aggregation, [14C]5HT secretion or rise in [Ca2+]i in the presence or absence of fibrinogen. However, addition of OAG (10-50 micrograms/ml) 10 s to 5 min before or 10-60 s after addition of threshold concentrations of thrombin (less than 0.03 U/ml) resulted in a significant potentiation of aggregation and [14C]5HT secretion without any effect on the thrombin-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Both EGTA, which abolished the latter and creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase, the ADP scavenger, totally inhibited the aggregation but only partially reduced [14C]5HT secretion in response to thrombin plus OAG. At higher concentrations of thrombin, neither the rise in [Ca2+]i nor the extent of [14C]5HT secretion was significantly altered by OAG addition. The results demonstrate that, unlike phorbol esters, OAG has no inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i mobilisation but can synergize with low concentrations of thrombin in potentiating [14C]5HT secretion even at basal [Ca2+]i.

Adhesion of human platelets to collagen in the presence of prostacyclin, indomethacin and compound BW 755C

Prostacyclin (1 ng to 2 micrograms per ml), which effectively inhibits platelet secretion and aggregation, does not affect adhesion of a proportion of platelets (10-38%) to collagen (50-100 micrograms/ml). Adhesion is not detectable by changes of light transmission (as measured in the optical aggregometer) and is not affected by inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes such as indomethacin and compound BW 755C. This adhesion is independent of the collagen concentration (50-400 micrograms/ml) and the incubation time (5-20 min). This suggests that adhesion to collagen is related to a specific platelet population. Adhesion in the presence of prostacyclin, indomethacin and BW 755C occurs in parallel with the formation of a limited amount of phosphatidic acid. Under those conditions it is also possible to observe some phosphorylation of a 40,000 dalton protein which is a substrate for protein kinase C activity. Phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton protein, or myosin light chain, is less evident. Chlorpromazine (25-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited the adhesion of platelets to collagen, but propanolol (0.5-4 microM) was inactive. The adhesion of platelets to collagen in these experiments parallels the formation of a fraction of phosphatidic acid and 40,000 dalton protein phosphorylation, which are independent of the increased levels of platelet cyclic-AMP induced by high concentrations of prostacyclin. It is also independent of the formation of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase products.

Incorporation of synthetic 1,2-diacylglycerol into platelet phosphatidylinositol is increased by cyclic AMP

1,2-Didecanoylglycerol (diC10) is taken up by human platelets and sequentially converted to 1,2-didecanoylphosphatidic acid (PA10) and 1,2-didecanoylphosphatidylinositol (PI10). Agents that increase cyclic AMP in platelets, such as prostacyclin and forskolin, sequentially convert diC10 to PA10 and PI10. They decrease formation of PA10 with a parallel accumulation of PI10. This might reflect an inhibition of phosphatidylinositol kinase.

Characterization and solubilization of membrane bound diacylglycerol lipases from bovine brain

Bovine brain contains two diacylglycerol lipases. One is localized in purified microsomes and the other is found in the plasma membrane fraction. The microsomal enzyme is markedly stimulated by the non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, and Ca2+, whereas the plasma membrane diacylglycerol lipase is strongly inhibited by Triton X-100 and Ca2+ has no effect on its enzymic activity. Both enzymes were solubilized using 0.25% Triton X-100. The solubilized enzymes followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The apparent Km values for microsomal and plasma membrane enzymes are 30.5 and 12.0 microM respectively. Both lipases are strongly inhibited by RHC 80267, with Ki values for microsomal and plasma membrane diacylglycerol lipases of 70 and 43 microM, respectively. The retention of microsomal diacylglycerol lipase on a concanavalin A-Sepharose column and its elution by methyl alpha-D-mannoside indicates the glycoprotein nature of this enzyme.

Effect of diarachidonin on prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rabbit kidney medulla slices

The effect of diarachidonin on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in rabbit kidney medulla slices was examined. The addition of diarachidonin stimulated prostaglandin E2 production in a dose-dependent manner. At three concentrations (10, 50 and 100 microM), increases in prostaglandin E2 formation induced by exogenous diarachidonin were 2-fold greater than those induced by exogenous arachidonic acid. Diacylglycerol or phosphatidic acid from egg lecithin had little or no effect on prostaglandin E2 production. Moreover, EGTA failed to inhibit diarachidonin-stimulated prostaglandin E2 formation, indicating that the stimulatory effect of diarachidonin is not mediated through the activation of endogenous phospholipase A2 (including phosphatidic acid-specific phospholipase A2). These results are discussed in the light of our former hypothesis that arachidonic acid release from kidney medulla phospholipids might occur through the sequential action of a phospholipase C coupled to diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipases [Fujimoto, Akamatsu, Hattori & Fujita (1984) Biochem. J. 218, 69-74].

Decanoyl lysophosphatidic acid induces platelet aggregation through an extracellular action. Evidence against a second messenger role for lysophosphatidic acid

Platelets rapidly convert 1,2-didecanoyl-sn-glycerol into its corresponding phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid derivatives, thereby providing a means of introducing these two compounds into platelets. 1-Decanoyl-2-lyso-3-sn-phosphatidic acid, when added directly to platelets, induced platelet aggregation and raised intracellular Ca2+ levels at concentrations of 0.3 microM upwards, but was without effect when formed intracellularly from 1,2-didecanoylglycerol at an estimated concentration of approx. 47 microM. This indicates that the site of platelet activation by lysophosphatidic acid is extracellular. A concentration of thrombin (0.2 unit/ml), which produced maximal platelet aggregation, caused an estimated intracellular formation of 20 microM-lysophosphatidic acid in the presence of 2 mM-Ca2+; however, there was no detectable release of lysophosphatidic acid into the bathing medium. Lysophosphatidic acid, therefore, may not be an intracellular second messenger involved in platelet aggregation by thrombin.

1,2-Diacylglycerol and phorbol ester inhibit agonist-induced formation of inositol phosphates in human platelets: possible implications for negative feedback regulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis

The present study has demonstrated that pretreatment of human platelets with either phorbol ester or 1,2-diacylglycerol inhibits agonist-induced formation of inositol phosphates; this inhibition can be correlated with a decrease in the release of ATP and 5-hydroxytryptamine by thrombin. The mechanism of this action is not known, but a role for protein kinase C is suggested, as both phorbol ester and 1,2-diacylglycerol have in common the ability to activate this enzyme. These results have important implications as a possible negative feedback control over agonist-induced hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids.

Collagen stimulates [3H]inositol trisphosphate formation in indomethacin-treated human platelets

The present study investigates the pathway of metabolism of inositol phospholipids in human platelets exposed to collagen. Platelet activation by collagen was preceded by a lag phase usually lasting 10-20 s. Formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate (IP3) was not observed during this period, but occurred in parallel with the onset of aggregation, release of ATP and phosphorylation of a 20 000 Da and a 40 000 Da protein. Indomethacin treatment partially inhibited all of these responses. Aggregation and ATP release, but not IP3 formation, were further inhibited in indomethacin-treated platelets loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin2. Under these conditions there was no detectable mobilization of Ca2+. These results demonstrate that activation of platelets by collagen is associated with rapid hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides by phospholipase C, thereby producing IP3. This observation is discussed in relation to IP3 as a possible Ca2+-mobilizing agent.

Diacylglycerols release LH: structure-activity relations reveal a role for protein kinase C

A series of diacylglycerols were synthesized with varying lengths and substituents in order to establish the structure-activity relationship between each with activation of protein kinase C and stimulation of a biological response system (pituitary luteinizing hormone release). This approach enables distinction between actions mediated by direct activation of protein kinase C and those due to other, presumably nonspecific, actions. The ability of diacylglycerols to function as regulators of a biological response system (pituitary luteinizing hormone release) and of protein kinase C was investigated with a series of sn-1,2 diacylglycerols containing fatty acids 4-10 carbons in length and with analogs in which the 3' hydroxyl was replaced with a chloro, hydrogen, or sulfhydryl moiety. Several diacylglycerols stimulated LH release in a saturable, time and dose dependent manner that was independent of extra-cellular calcium. Dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) was the most effective of the diacylglycerols tested; 3' analogs lacking the hydroxyl were inactive. The diacylglycerols activated protein kinase C in vitro whereas the 3' analogs did not. These data implicate protein kinase C in the mechanism of LH release, demonstrate that unsaturated fatty acyl moieties within the diacylglycerol are not required for protein kinase C activation, and establish diacylglycerol-protein kinase C structure-function relationships that should prove useful for investigations in other systems.

Long-chain unsaturated diacylglycerols cause a perturbation in the structure of phospholipid bilayers rendering them susceptible to phospholipase attack

Intracellular phospholipases (A2 and C types) can hydrolyse bilayer-forming phospholipids much more rapidly when diacylglycerol is added. Unsaturated long-chain diacylglycerols are much more effective than short-chain saturated diacylglycerols or 1-oleoyl,2-acetylglycerol. Diacylglycerol does not change the electrokinetic properties of the phospholipid water interface, nor does it enhance enzymic digestion of monolayers. 31P-NMR of phosphatidylcholine indicates that diacylglycerol causes an isotropic component to develop in the spectrum of the bilayers which correlates approximately with the enhancement of phospholipase A2 attack. Addition of further diacylglycerol converts this transitional stage of unknown structural origin to the hexagonal II phase with a total loss of enzyme activity.

myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate stimulates protein phosphorylation in saponin-permeabilized human platelets

In an attempt to establish a system with physiological substrates and phospholipid surfaces to investigate Ca2+- and 1,2-diacylglycerol-dependent protein kinase C activation, saponized platelets were used. Saponin, through interaction with plasma membrane cholesterol, makes cells permeable without major disruption of organelles. Washed platelets, prelabeled with 32P, were treated with 1-50 micrograms of saponin per ml. Permeabilization was evident at a concentration of 10 micrograms of saponin per ml, as indicated by the action of extracellular Ca2+ on the phosphorylation of the 20,000- and 40,000-Da proteins. These proteins are, respectively, the substrates for myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C. Activation of these enzymes occurred when the estimated free [Ca2+] was changed from approximately equal to 80 nM to 300 nM. The effect of Ca2+ on kinase C-induced phosphorylation was potentiated by 1,2-didecanoylglycerol (1 microM). myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (5-20 microM) increased phosphorylation of the 20,000- and 40,000-Da proteins. This action was time and concentration dependent. The effect of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate on the activation of kinase C was additive with 1,2-didecanoylglycerol. The action of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate could be due to mobilization of Ca2+ from platelet organelles and/or to a direct effect on protein kinases.

Structural and chemical specificity of diacylglycerols for protein kinase C activation

The structural and chemical specificity of diacylglycerols, lipid components of the quaternary complex for protein kinase C activation, have been evaluated. The ether-linked analogs of the diacyl lipids, either dialkyl or alkyl acyl, were not effective activators of protein kinase C and thus had little influence on reducing the Ca++ requirement of the enzyme. Ester-linked compounds such as 1-palmitoyl-sn-2-butyrylglycerol were as effective as dioleoylglycerol in stimulating protein phosphorylation. Increasing the carbon number at the sn-2 position from two to four resulted in enhanced enzymatic activity, suggesting that the chain length at the secondary hydroxyl is also of importance. These data clearly establish the necessity of the sn-1 carbonyl group of ester-linked glycerolipids in the protein kinase C activation complex.