Chlorpromazine makes the platelet plasma membrane permeable for low-molecular weight substances and reduces ATP production

Thioridazine induces major changes in global gene expression and cell wall composition in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300

Subinhibitory concentrations of the neuroleptic drug thioridazine (TDZ) are well-known to enhance the killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by β-lactam antibiotics, however, the mechanism underlying the synergy between TDZ and β-lactams is not fully understood. In the present study, we have examined the effect of a subinhibitory concentration of TDZ on antimicrobial resistance, the global transcriptome, and the cell wall composition of MRSA USA300. We show that TDZ is able to sensitize the bacteria to several classes of antimicrobials targeting the late stages of peptidoglycan (PGN) synthesis. Furthermore, our microarray analysis demonstrates that TDZ modulates the expression of genes encoding membrane and surface proteins, transporters, and enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. Interestingly, resemblance between the transcriptional profile of TDZ treatment and the transcriptomic response of S. aureus to known inhibitors of cell wall synthesis suggests that TDZ disturbs PGN biosynthesis at a stage that precedes transpeptidation by penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). In support of this notion, dramatic changes in the muropeptide profile of USA300 were observed following growth in the presence of TDZ, indicating that TDZ can interfere with the formation of the pentaglycine branches. Strikingly, the addition of glycine to the growth medium relieved the effect of TDZ on the muropeptide profile. Furthermore, exogenous glycine offered a modest protective effect against TDZ-induced β-lactam sensitivity. We propose that TDZ exposure leads to a shortage of intracellular amino acids, including glycine, which is required for the production of normal PGN precursors with pentaglycine branches, the correct substrate of S. aureus PBPs. Collectively, this work demonstrates that TDZ has a major impact on the cell wall biosynthesis pathway in S. aureus and provides new insights into how MRSA may be sensitized towards β-lactam antibiotics.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on plasma membrane permeabilization and fluidization induced by chlorpromazine in the rat brain

Neurotransmitter receptors play a key role in most research on antipsychotic drugs, but little is known about the effects of these drugs on the plasma membrane in the central nervous system. Therefore, we investigated whether chlorpromazine (CPZ), a typical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug, affects the plasma membrane integrity in the rat brain, and if so, whether these membrane alterations can be prevented by dietary supplementation with vitamin E, which has been shown to be an antioxidant and also a membrane-stabilizer. Leakage of [(18)F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG)-6-phosphate from rat striatal slices and decrease in 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene fluorescence anisotropy were used as indexes for plasma membrane permeabilization and fluidization, respectively. CPZ induced leakage of [(18)F]FDG-6-phosphate from striatal slices, and the leakage was delayed in the vitamin E-supplemented group compared to that in the normal diet group. The decrease in plasma membrane anisotropy induced by CPZ was significantly attenuated by vitamin E supplementation. Chronic treatment with alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone, a free radical scavenger, had no effect on CPZ-induced plasma membrane permeabilization, and the treatment with CPZ did not induce lipid peroxidation. CPZ can reduce plasma membrane integrity in the brain, and this reduction can be prevented by vitamin E via its membrane-stabilizing properties, not via its antioxidant activity.

Effect of chlorpromazine hydrochloride on the formation of micronuclei in the bone marrow of mice exposed to gamma radiation

The frequency of micronuclei was determined in the bone marrow of female BALB/c mice treated with various doses of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) before exposure to 4.0 Gy of gamma radiation at 24 h post-exposure. In animals treated with CPZ alone, the frequency of micronuclei increased with the increase in drug dose. A similar pattern was observed when the mice were exposed to 4.0 Gy radiation after CPZ treatment. The dose response curves thus obtained for the CPZ treated and CPZ + irradiated groups were linear quadratic.

Effects of chlorpromazine on plasma membrane permeability and fluidity in the rat brain: a dynamic positron autoradiography and fluorescence polarization study

Antipsychotic drugs have been widely used in psychiatry for the treatment of various mental disorders, but the underlying biochemical mechanisms of their actions still remain unclear. Although phenothiazine antipsychotic drugs have been reported to directly interact with the peripheral plasma membrane, it is not known whether these drugs actually affect plasma membrane integrity in the central nervous system. To clarify these issues, we investigated the effect of chlorpromazine (CPZ), a typical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug, on plasma membrane permeability in fresh rat brain slices using a dynamic positron autoradiography technique and [(18)F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) as a tracer. Treatment with CPZ (> or =100 microM) resulted in the leakage of [(18)F]FDG-6-phosphate, but not [(18)F]FDG, suggesting that the [(18)F]FDG-6-phosphate efflux was not mediated by glucose transporters, but rather by plasma membrane permeabilization. The leakage of [(18)F]FDG-6-phosphate was followed by slower leakage of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase, suggesting that CPZ could initially induce small membrane holes that enlarged with time. Furthermore, the addition of CPZ (> or =100 microM) caused a decrease in 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene fluorescence anisotropy, which implies an increase in membrane fluidity. CPZ loading dose-dependently increased both membrane permeability and membrane fluidity, which suggested the involvement of a perturbation of membrane order in the mechanisms of membrane destabilization induced by antipsychotic drugs.

Resveratrol inhibits polyphosphoinositide metabolism in activated platelets

The effects of resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) on activation responses and the polyphosphoinositide metabolism in human blood platelets have been studied. Resveratrol partially inhibited secretory responses (liberation of dense granule nucleotides and lysosomal acid hydrolases), microparticle formation and protein phosphorylations induced by thrombin. The effects of resveratrol on phosphoinositide metabolites, phosphatidate (PtdOH), phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PtdIns-4(5)-P), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2), phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate (PtdIns-3,4-P2) and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns-3,4,5-P3) were monitored in blood platelets prelabelled with [32P]Pi. Resveratrol not only inhibited the marked increase in levels of PtdOH in platelets activated by thrombin (0.1 U/ml) but it decreased the steady state levels of the other polyphosphoinositide metabolites. The distribution of 32P in phosphoinositides in activated platelets was consistent with inhibition of CDP-DAG inositol transferase and a weak inhibition of PtdIns-4(5)-P kinase. These observations show that resveratrol has a profound effect on phospholipids, particularly on polyphosphoinositide metabolism, and may decrease the amount of PtdIns-4,5-P2 available for signalling in these cells.

Protocols for regulation and study of diphosphoinositol polyphosphates

The roles of diphosphoinositol polyphosphates (DIPs) in mammalian cell biology have been difficult to determine because of the lack of tools known to regulate their levels. I have determined a series of protocols that regulate these DIPs, and these can be used to further our understanding of these molecules. Sorbitol and sucrose significantly raised levels of bis-diphosphoinositol tetrakisphosphate ([PP]2-InsP4) but slightly lowered levels of diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (PP-InsP5) in DDT1 MF-2 cells. These effects correlate with the ability of hyperosmotic stress to interfere with protein trafficking described previously and suggest that [PP]2-InsP4 specifically impedes protein trafficking. The effects on [PP]2-InsP4 were not regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase or phospholipase D, as exemplified by the lack of effect of U0126 and butan-1-ol. I have also found that genistein potently and rapidly lowers levels of [PP]2-InsP4, whereas a similar inhibitor, herbimycin, was without effect. Thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase pump inhibitor previously shown to selectively lower PP-InsP5 after short-term treatment, also selectively raises PP-InsP5 after a longer treatment. The calmodulin inhibitors N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) and chlorpromazine significantly lowered all higher inositol phosphates, as well as DIPs, whereas the calmodulin-dependent kinase inhibitors methyl 9-(S)-12-(R)-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3',2',1'-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i][1,6]benzodiazocine-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-(R)hydroxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-10-carboxylate (K-252a) and 2-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl)]amino-N-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-N-methylbenzylamine (KN-93) were without effect. W-7 and chlorpromazine also lowered levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and ATP but greatly increased levels of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate. Trypan blue exclusion deemed that these doses were not cytotoxic. These results identify an increasing number of reagents that regulate DIP levels. Using these tools, and those described previously, we can further understand the roles of the DIPs in cell biology.

Determination of lipid bilayer/water partition coefficient of new phenothiazines using the second derivative of absorption spectra method

The partition coefficients (K(p)) between lipid bilayer of phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles and buffer for five new phenothiazines were determined using the second derivatives of ultraviolet absorption spectra. The lambda(max) of absorption band for each of the investigated phenothiazine derivatives (PDs) was shifted to the longer wavelengths in the presence of PC vesicles with increasing of lipid concentration. As a result of light scattering in liposome suspension no isosbestic point could be observed in absorption spectra. However, the background signal could be eliminated using the method of second derivative of absorption spectra. In the second derivative of absorption spectra two isosbestic points were observed. Changes of intensity (Delta D) of second derivative of absorption spectra at the lambda(max) (wavelength of absorption maximum for drug in buffer) caused by the increase in lipid concentration were measured for set of phenothiazine derivatives. K(p) for these drugs were calculated from the relationship between Delta D and lipid concentration. The K(p) values for all studied phenothiazine derivatives are in the order of magnitude of 10(5) and they increase about 1.7-fold when length of the alkyl phenothiazine chain was enhanced by addition of the each next one (-CH(2)) group. Substitution of -H atom by -CF(3) group at position 2 of phenothiazine ring results in 3.5-fold increase in K(p) values.

Wetting films of lipids in the development of sensitive interfaces. An electrochemical approach

Solid-supported thin liquid films of lipids, contacting an electrolyte phase, turned out to be a dependable system in the field of bosensors. The investigations of these objects during the past decade reveal some of their intriguing features enabling the application in constructions of receptor part with 'two-dimensional' arrangement. As a model system, complementary to the other artificial analogs of biomembranes, the wetting films of lipids offer certain advantages concerning the compromise between the stability and flexibility of the molecular structures involved in sensing. The basic principles underlaying the techniques of formation, as well as the conditions of the films stability are emphasized in the present consized review. While no limitations are imposed by the way of preparation, the films seem especially profitable in conjunction with methods for electrochemical signal transduction. In this regard some prominent examples are discussed.

Chlorpromazine-induced increase in dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine surface area in monolayers at room temperature

The Langmuir technique revealed that the surface area of acidic glycerophospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine, -glycerol, and dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid) in monolayers increased dramatically when micromolar concentrations of the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine (CPZ) were present in the subphase. Monolayers of neutral glycerophospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and -ethanolamine) did not show such a large effect with CPZ. Compared to CPZ, millimolar concentrations of the monovalent cations Li+, K+, Na+, Rb+, and Cs+ did not appear to influence the dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine monolayer, suggesting that the effect of CPZ, a monovalent cationic amphophile, was due to an interaction with the acyl chains of the lipids. In addition, the effect of CPZ was reduced by 150 mM Na+, suggesting that the sodium cations might screen the negatively charged headgroups from an electrostatic interaction with the positively charged drug molecule. Two CPZ analogs, chlorpromazine sulfoxide and CPZ with 2 carbons in the side chain, were also studied. These observations suggest that part of the biological effects of CPZ, being antipsychotic and/or side effects, may be due to CPZ's action on the acidic glycerophospholipids in nerve cell membranes.

Trifluoperazine induces domain formation in zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine but not in charged phosphatidylglycerol bilayers

The interaction of trifluoperazine with the zwitterionic lipids dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and with anionic dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol was studied by means of microcalorimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy. Intercalation of drug molecules into the lipid bilayers was confirmed by the observed differential scanning calorimetry peak broadening and the decrease in chain-melting temperatures. For trifluoperazine:lipid mole ratios higher than 0.4 and 0.6 (for dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, respectively) the deconvolution of transition profiles into two Gaussian components was possible, which suggests phase separation in the studied mixtures. Deconvolution of the thermograms was not possible for any of the drug:dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol mole ratios studied. To confirm the existence of phase separation in trifluoperazine-phosphatidylcholine mixtures fluorescence spectroscopy experiments were performed using Laurdan as a probe. From the generalised polarisation versus excitation wavelength dependences, recorded at different temperatures, we conclude that a phase separation occurs in the gel state of the studied trifluoperazine-phosphatidylcholine mixtures. We attribute the existence of domains in the bilayer to the dissimilar interactions of two protonation forms of trifluoperazine with phosphatidylcholine molecules. Structural defects present at domain boundaries could be related to the trifluoperazine induced increase of membrane permeability and fluidity. This may partially explain the mechanism of multidrug resistance modulation by trifluoperazine.

The stimulatory effects of cationic amphiphilic drugs on human platelets treated with thrombin

The actions of eight cationic amphiphilic drugs on human platelets displayed three different effects according to drug concentration ranges. At lower concentrations (below approximately 25 microM), the drugs stimulated secretory responses induced by 0.2 U/mL of thrombin, while at concentrations in the 25-50 microM range they inhibited these responses. Above 50-100 microM, the drugs caused permeabilization of the platelet plasma membrane as measured by leakage of cytoplasmic adenine nucleotides. The effects of these agents on phosphoinositide metabolism were monitored in platelets prelabeled with (32)P-inorganic phosphate, such that phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)), but not phosphatidylinositol (PI), were labeled to equilibrium. In unstimulated platelets, the level of labeled PA decreased slightly (about 25%), with corresponding increases in PIP(2) labeling up to drug concentrations of about 50 microM. In contrast to the relatively small changes in PI and PIP(2), the levels of labeled PIP, precursor to PIP(2), increased 2- to 4-fold in both resting and thrombin-treated platelets from 5 microM up to about 50-100 microM of drugs and remained elevated throughout the permeabilization concentrations. [(32)P]PA increased 20-fold over control upon thrombin activation and 5-30 microM of drugs caused [(32)P]PA to increase 30-37 times over that seen in control, resting platelets; the concentration of drugs that potentiated thrombin-induced [(32)P]PA elevation corresponded to that causing the potentiation of platelet secretion. Higher drug concentrations decreased [(32)P]PA elevation. [(32)P]PIP(2) levels increased about 25% in response to thrombin treatment alone; low concentrations of drugs led to another 25% elevation. A significant decrease in [(32)P]PIP(2) was seen above 30 microM, corresponding to inhibition of platelet secretion. Concentrations of 5-30 microM of several psychoactive agents, both neuroleptics and antidepressants, potentiated the thrombin-induced activation of platelets as measured by dense granule secretion and increased turnover of phosphoinositides. Remarkably, all of the drugs increased the levels of PIP even in resting platelets, indicating that they have common effects apart from the specific receptor interactions currently attributed to them. These common effects, e.g. an increase in membrane fluidity such as is known to be caused by amphipathic agents, may be in part responsible for the observed overlapping psychotropic effects of tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines.

Chlorpromazine interaction with glycerophospholipid liposomes studied by magic angle spinning solid state (13)C-NMR and differential scanning calorimetry

Phosphatidylserine (PS) extracted from pig brain and synthetic dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were used to make DPPC/DMPC and DPPC/PS large unilamellar liposomes with a diameter of approximately 1 microm. Chlorpromazine-HCl (CPZ), an amphipathic cationic psychotropic drug of the phenothiazine group, is known to partition into lipid bilayer membranes of liposomes with partition coefficients depending on the acyl chain length and to alter the bilayer structure in a manner depending on the phospholipid headgroups. The effects of adding CPZ to these membranes were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and proton cross polarization solid state magic angle spinning (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CP-MAS-(13)C-NMR). CP-MAS-(13)C-NMR spectra of the DPPC (60%)/DMPC (40%) and the DPPC (54%)/DMPC (36%)/CPZ (10%) liposomes, show that CPZ has low or no interaction with the phospholipids of this neutral and densely packed bilayer. Conversely, the DPPC (54%)/PS (36%)/CPZ (10%) bilayer at 25 degrees C demonstrates interaction of CPZ with the phospholipid headgroups (PS). This CPZ interaction causes about 30% of the acyl chains to enter the gauche conformation with low or no CPZ interdigitation among the acyl chains at this temperature (25 degrees C). The DPPC (54%)/PS (36%)/CPZ (10%) bilayer at a sample temperature of 37 degrees C (T(C)=31.2 degrees C), shows CPZ interdigitation among the phospholipids as deduced from the finding that approximately 30% of the phospholipid acyl chains carbon resonances shift low-field by 5-15 ppm.

Effect of propranolol on platelet signal transduction

Propranolol inhibits platelet secondary aggregation and secretion by mechanisms unrelated to its beta-adrenergic-blocking activity. We previously reported that a major effect of the drug is perturbation of the physical microenvironment of the human platelet membrane. To explore further the molecular mechanisms underlying propranolol-mediated platelet inhibition, we studied protein kinase C activity, estimated from the phosphorylation of the substrate protein pleckstrin, in propranolol-treated human platelets. The drug inhibited activation of the enzyme in thrombin-stimulated platelets but not in platelets stimulated with phorbol esters, indicating that its site of action might be upstream of protein kinase C. It also inhibited the activity of phospholipase C, determined from the extent of generation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, in platelets stimulated with thrombin as well as the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that propranolol inhibits signal transduction in thrombin-stimulated platelets by interacting at the level of phospholipase C and exclude interaction of the drug with the downstream effector enzyme protein kinase C.

Organic Solvents Activate Human Platelets Through the Inositol Lipid-linked Signal Transduction System

It has recently been proposed that occupational exposure to organic solvents in vivo may lead to platelet activation and this has been substantiated by exposure of platelets to solvents in vitro. The present work was undertaken to study the effects of organic solvents on the platelet inositol lipid signal transduction system. Human platelets that had been prelabelled with [(32)P] P, were exposed to a saturated atmosphere of the organic solvents toluene, xylene or hexane. Extracts were analyzed for metabolites of the polyphosphoinositide cycle and ATP. All solvents studied induced a decrease in radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate together with an increase in radioactivities in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidic acid. This is compatible with solvent-induced activation of the cells through the inositol lipid pathway. In cells exposed to toluene or xylene we could detect an increased level in inositol trisphosphates at 3 min of exposure. The solvent-induced changes in metabolic ATP could not explain the solvent-induced effects on the inositol lipid metabolism. It is concluded that the organic solvents toluene, xylene and hexane can activate human platelets through the inositol lipid-linked transmembrane signal system.

Hydrophobic organic solvents activate human platelets in vitro

The purpose of this study was to investigate blood platelet function during exposure to the hydrophobic organic solvents toluene, p-xylene and n-hexane. Human blood platelets were exposed for 30 min at 37°C to a saturated atmosphere of p-xylene, toluene or n-hexane. All three solvents, and the aromatics in particular, induced a decrease in the number of single platelets (61-88%) together with an increase in the extracellular levels of ATP plus ADP (45-65% of total) and serotonin (67-100% of total). Passive leakage of [(14)C] adenine-labelled nucleotides from the metabolic pool, due to platelet lysis, was minor or delayed. Electron microscopy of platelets exposed to p-xylene revealed aggregation. The platelets were spherical without pseudopods. Our results indicate that the hydrophobic solvents n-hexane, p-xylene and toluene induce platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion.

Tyrosine kinases and phosphoinositide metabolism in thrombin-stimulated human platelets

In this study we have examined the implication of tyrosine kinase activities in aggregation, 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion and mainly phosphoinositide metabolism in response to human platelet stimulation by thrombin. Using the potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin AG-213, we have observed a significant inhibition of aggregation and 5-hydroxytryptamine release; however, this percentage inhibition was lower at high thrombin concentrations. On the other hand, tyrphostin treatment of metabolically 32P-labelled platelets significantly inhibited the thrombin-dependent accumulation of PtdIns(3,4)P2, which involves at least a PtdIns 3-kinase and/or a PtdIns3P 4-kinase, whereas the synthesis of phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), a good reflection of the phospholipase C (PLC) activation in platelets, was partially blocked. Inositol phosphate production was also inhibited by about 40% when tyrphostin-treated platelets were stimulated with thrombin. In addition, we show by Western-blot analysis that PLC gamma 1, as well as the regulatory subunit (p85) of the PtdIns 3-kinase, were present in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitate isolated from thrombin-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, tyrphostin treatment clearly decreased the PLC gamma 1 and p85 contents in such an anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitate. Our results provide the first evidence for a direct or indirect regulation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 accumulation and PLC gamma 1 activity by tyrosine phosphorylation during thrombin stimulation of human platelets.

The Use of Several Leakage Markers which Enable Platelet Membrane Damage and Platelet Activation to be Distinguished

We have studied the effects of four differently charged detergents and sphingosine on platelet membrane integrity and platelet activation, using the leakage of pre-loaded43K+, pre-loaded [14C]-serotonin ([14C]-5-HT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as markers.

Sphingosine, at a concentration of 20μM, induced a release of [14C]-5-HT as well as43K+, without releasing LDH. The [14C]-5-HT743K+ratio was about 1.5. A similar leakage pattern and the same [14C]-5-HT/43K+ratio was also induced by thrombin, a potent platelet agonist, indicating that the release induced by sphingosine is due to platelet activation and not to membrane damage. The detergents, on the other hand, induced a marked release of43K+followed by an increased release of LDH. No pronounced leakage of [14C]-5-HT occured with the detergents; the [14C]-5-HT/43K+ratio was ≤ 0.2. In this manner, we can distinguish between marker-release caused by membrane-damage and that caused by platelet-activation, by using the combination of leakage markers presented here.

Our study also showed that fixation prior to centrifugation is crucial in order to avoid leakage of markers, which are released upon activation of the platelets. About 35% of the [14C]-5-HT content of the platelets was released when unfixed platelets were centrifuged, and, interestingly, the detergents, as well as ethanol, inhibited the centrifugation-induced release of [14C]-5-HT.

Perturbation of the platelet plasma membrane is not sufficient for inhibition of thrombin-induced PKC-activity

This work was carried out to decide whether a non-specific perturbation of the platelet membrane with exogenous amphiphiles affects protein phosphorylation in platelets, especially phosphorylation mediated by PKC. Effects of amphiphiles per se on protein phosphorylation were also recorded. (i) Sublytic concentrations of the differently charged model surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Zwittergent 3-16, sodium tetradecyl sulphate, and octaethyleneglycol hexadecyl ether, as well as chlorpromazine, and Triton X-100, did not affect the thrombin-induced, PKC-mediated phosphorylation of pleckstrin, whereas sphingosine blocked this phosphorylation. (ii) The sphingosine-mediated phosphorylation blockade is not related to a non-specific perturbation of the membrane, but can instead be attributed to specific properties of sphingosine. (iii) The amphiphiles, per se, had differential effects on protein phosphorylation at sublytic concentrations: a treatment with CTAB, Zwittergent 3-16, and sodium tetradecyl sulphate for 1 min led to phosphorylation of a 49-kDa protein, while treatment with sphingosine for 1 min led to a transient phosphorylation of the myosin light chain as well as a weak phosphorylation of pleckstrin.

Sphingosine induced release of K+ and 5-HT in platelets should not be confused with membrane leakiness

The release of 43K+, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and [14C]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([14C]-5-HT) from platelets treated with sphingosine and four differently charged model amphiphiles was studied. Sphingosine was found to differ from the detergents because it induced a concentration-dependent release of both 43K+ and [14C]-5-HT without causing a release of LDH. The release of [14C]-5-HT preceded the release of 43K+ and it is concluded that these effects are associated with platelet activation. The detergents caused a release of 43K+ followed by a release of LDH without causing a release of [14C]-5-HT. These effects are attributed to a non-specific perturbation of the platelet plasma membrane.

Chlorpromazine increases the turnover of metabolically active phosphoinositides and elevates the steady-state level of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate in human platelets

Non-permeabilizing concentrations (< 40 microM) of chlorpromazine (CPZ) increase the radioactivity of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) in platelets pre-labelled with [32P]Pi, but the biochemical mechanisms underlying this increase are poorly understood. Incubation of [32P]Pi-labelled, gel-filtered platelets with 25 microM CPZ for 10 min increased: (1) the mass of PIP from 315 to 476 nmol/10(11) platelets but not the total inositol phospholipid mass, (2) the specific phosphodiester radioactivities in phosphatidylinositol (PI), PIP and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by 34, 63 and 37%, respectively, and (3) the specific phosphomonoester radioactivities in PIP and PIP2 by 53 and 10%, respectively. In control platelets (no CPZ) the specific radioactivity of the phosphodiester was the same in PI, PIP and PIP2, and the specific radioactivity in the phosphomonoester in PIP and PIP2 was 55% of that of the gamma-phosphoryl in ATP, measured as metabolically active, actin-bound ADP. These results suggest that 55% of each of PI, PIP and PIP2 constitutes a metabolic pool which is labelled by 32P in the platelets, while the remainder is in a metabolically inactive pool and not labelled. CPZ has two major effects: (1) CPZ interferes with the kinase and phosphohydrolase reactions that maintain the steady-state level of PIP in the metabolic phosphoinositide pool, resulting in a 92% increase in the PIP level of this pool, and (2) CPZ causes synthesis (45% in 10 min) of new phosphodiester in the metabolically active phosphoinositides by tentative stimulation of the turnover of the phosphoinositide cycle, de novo phosphoinositide synthesis and/or diacylglycerol formation through phospholipases C and D. The marked alteration by CPZ of phosphoinositide metabolism may be part of the mechanism by which this drug effects its psychotropic action.