Characterization of a calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase from human platelets

Threonine phosphorylation of integrin beta3 in calyculin A-treated platelets is selectively sensitive to 5'-iodotubercidin

Exposure of platelets to toxins (calyculin A or okadaic acid) that inhibit protein serine/threonine phosphatases types 1 and 2A, at concentrations that block aggregatory and secretory responses, results in the phosphorylation of several platelet proteins including integrin beta(3). Since protein phosphorylation represents a balance between kinase and phosphatase activities, this increase in phosphorylation reflects either the removal of phosphatases that oppose constitutively active kinases known to reside in the platelet (e.g., casein kinase 2) or the activation of endogenous kinases. In this study, we demonstrate that the addition of calyculin A promotes the activation of several endogenous platelet protein kinases, including p42/44(mapk), p38(mapk), Akt/PKB, and LKB1. Using a pharmacologic approach, we assessed whether inhibition of these and other enzymes block phosphorylation of beta(3). Inhibitors of p38(mapk), casein kinase, AMP kinase, protein kinase C, and calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinases did not block phosphorylation of beta(3) on thr(753). In contrast, 5'-iodotubercidin, at 50 muM, blocks beta(3) phosphorylation without affecting the efficacy of calyculin A to inhibit platelet aggregation and spreading. These data dissociate threonine phosphorylation of beta(3) molecules and inhibition of platelet responses by protein phosphatase inhibitors.

Calcineurin dephosphorylates the C-terminal region of filamin in an important regulatory site: A possible mechanism for filamin mobilization and cell signaling

Filamin is a phosphoprotein that organizes actin filaments into networks. We report that a purified C-terminal recombinant region of filamin is a suitable substrate for calcineurin in vitro. Furthermore, 1 microM cyclosporin A (CsA), a specific calcineurin inhibitor, reduced the dephosphorylation of the recombinant fragment in 293FT cells. Mutagenesis analysis showed that a dephosphorylation step occurred in Ser 2152, which was previously shown to provide resistance to calpain cleavage when endogenous PKA is activated. In contrast, phosphorylation of Ser 2152 was recently reported to be necessary for membrane dynamic changes. In this regard, we found that CsA protects filamin in platelets from calpain degradation. Results could be combined with available information in a single model, assuming that some of the peptide fragments released by calcineurin-regulated calpain action could mediate actions in downstream pathways, which may help to resolve the controversies reported on the role of filamin phosphorylation in actin dynamics.

Phosphorylation sites in the integrin beta3 cytoplasmic domain in intact platelets

Protein seryl/threonyl phosphatase inhibitors such as calyculin A block inside-out and outside-in platelet signaling. Our studies demonstrate that the addition of calyculin A blocks platelet adhesion and spreading on fibrinogen, responses that depend on integrin alphaIIb beta3 signaling. We hypothesized that this reflects a change in alphaIIb beta3 structure caused by a specific state of phosphorylation. We show that addition of calyculin A leads to increased phosphorylation of the beta3 subunit, and phosphoamino acid analysis reveals that only threonine residues become phosphorylated; sequence analysis by Edman degradation established that threonine 753 became stoichiometrically phosphorylated during inhibition of platelet phosphatases by calyculin A. This region of beta3 is linked to outside-in signaling such as platelet spreading responses. The effect of calyculin A on platelet adhesion and spreading and on the phosphorylation of T-753 in beta3 is reversed by the calcium ionophore A23187, demonstrating that these effects of calyculin A are not generally toxic ones. We propose that phosphorylation of beta3 on threonine 753, a region of beta3 linked to outside-in signaling, may be a mechanism by which integrin alphaIIb beta3 function is regulated.

Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation states at different sites affect phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 activity

We have previously reported that the binding of type I collagen to its receptor initiates platelet aggregation involving phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PP 1), which coprecipitates with the 65-kDa platelet type I collagen receptor. Phosphorylation of the anti-PP1 precipitation PP1 decreases its enzyme activity. In the present investigation, the mechanism of the decreased enzyme activity was studied by examining the phosphorylation of PP 1 on serine/threonine or tyrosine residues. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the PP 1 indicates that serine, threonine, and tyrosine can all be phosphorylated. We find that the activity of PP 1 decreases with serine/threonine phosphorylation but that phosphorylation of tyrosine residue activates enzyme activity. These results indicate that the activity of platelet phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 is controlled by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation states at multiple, different site(s).

Involvement of phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 in collagen-platelet interaction

The binding of type I collagen to its receptor initiates platelet aggregation, but the relationship of the receptor to other signal transduction components is not yet established. Correlation of platelet aggregation and anti-type I collagen receptor antibody immunoprecipitation of type I collagen treated [32PO4]-labeled platelets showed that there are two phosphoproteins (M(r) 53 kDa and 21 kDa) that coprecipitated with the 65 kDa platelet type I collagen receptor. In the present investigation, we have identified one of the phosphoproteins. A soluble component the 100,000x g supernatant fraction of 53 kDa protein is recognized by polyclonal anti-PP1 antibody. The activity of the precipitated phosphatase is inhibited by okadaic acid and inhibitor 1, suggesting that it is protein phosphatase 1 (PP 1). Phosphorylation decreases PP 1 activity as was found with [32PO4]-phosphorylase b as the substrate. The immunocoprecipitation of the type-1 collagen receptor and PP 1 inot the result of cross reactivity of the anti-type I collagen receptor antibody with the PP I protein. These results indicate that the platelet type I collagen receptor, PP 1, and unidentified 21 kDa protein are in close association with the platelet type I collagen receptor upon the binding of type I collagen by the receptor.

Dephosphorylation of the focal adhesion protein VASP in vitro and in intact human platelets

The focal adhesion protein VASP, a possible link between signal transduction pathways and the microfilament system, is phosphorylated by both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases in vitro and in intact cells. Here, the analysis of VASP dephosphorylation by the serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP) PP1, PP2A, PP2B and PP2C in vitro is reported. The phosphatases differed in their selectivity with respect to the dephosphorylation of individual VASP phosphorylation sites. Incubation of human platelets with okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A, caused the accumulation of phosphorylated VASP indicating that the phosphorylation status of VASP in intact cells is regulated to a major extent by serine/threonine protein phosphatases. Furthermore, the accumulation of phosphorylated cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrate(s) appears to account for inhibitory effects of okadaic acid on platelet function.

Calyculin A and okadiac acid inhibit human platelet aggregation by blocking protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A

Two potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A), calyculin A (CAL-A) and okadaic acid (OKA), inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, collagen and 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2). IC50 values of CAL-A and OKA for STA2-induced aggregation were 53 nM and 3.5 microM, respectively. These drugs also inhibited thrombin-induced [14C]serotonin secretion of platelets. CAL-A and OKA elicited phosphorylation of certain proteins with an apparent M(r) (x 10(-3) of 200, 60, 50 and 20 light chain of myosin (MLC). Agonist-induced 47,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation was strongly inhibited by these compounds, whereas phosphorylation of 20,000 M(r) MLC was enhanced. The increase in 50,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation by CAL-A and OKA was observed in the presence of agonists, and the 50,000 M(r) phosphorylation may be involved in the inhibition of platelet activation by these compounds. Subcellular analysis of the phosphatase activity in human platelets showed that MLC phosphatase activity was present mainly (approx. 78%) in the cytosolic fraction. Chromatography of human platelet extract on heparin-Sepharose resolved two peaks of MLC phosphatase activity: PP2A in 0.1 M NaCl eluate and PP1 in 0.5 NaCl eluate. PP2A and PP1 isozymes (PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma and PP1 delta) have also been identified in human platelets, by cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibodies against PP2A and PP1 isozymes, respectively. These results suggest that PP1 and/or PP2A may play an important role in the process of platelet activation by regulating levels of phosphorylation of certain proteins.

Okadaic acid and vanadate inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation; the functional relation of phosphatases on platelet aggregation

The different specific inhibitors for phosphoserine/threonine and phosphotyrosine protein phosphatases were used to study the role of these protein phosphatases in collagen-platelet interaction. The collagen-induced platelet aggregation and the release reaction as measured ATP release were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by the addition of okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of phosphoserine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 and 2A. The inhibition was also observed by the addition of a phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate. Suboptimal concentrations of both inhibitors together also inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and release reaction in a concentration-dependent fashion. These results suggest that collagen-platelet interaction is modulated by both protein phosphatases.

The inhibitory effects of okadaic acid on platelet function

Okadaic acid (OA), a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases type 1 and type 2A, inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation (IC50 = 0.8 microM), [14C]serotonin release and increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in the same dose dependence. In the absence of thrombin OA increased the phosphorylation of 50-kDa protein and 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20). The 50-kDa protein phosphorylation was accomplished within a shorter time period and at a lower concentration than was the MLC20. OA decreased the thrombin-induced phosphorylation of 47-kDa protein and MLC20, although phosphorylation of MLC20 reincreased at higher concentrations of OA (5-10 microM). Since type 2A phosphatase is more sensitive to OA than type 1, these results suggest that type 2A phosphatases are involved in the regulation of Ca2+ signaling in thrombin-induced platelet activation.

Stimulation of human platelets with concanavalin A involves phospholipase C activation

In response to concanavalin A, cytoplasmic calcium movement was observed in human platelets, both in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+ or 1 mM EGTA in the medium. Concanavalin A also caused the activation of inositide turnover and the production of inositol phosphates, suggesting that activation of phospholipase C occurs. The mechanism by which concanavalin A stimulates phospholipase C does not depend on GTP-binding transducers, because it was not inhibited by GDP beta S, while experiments performed in the presence of cytochalasin B suggested a role for membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa-cytoskeleton interaction in this process. Ca(2+)-proteases and Na+/H+ antiport also seemed to be related to concanavalin A-induced phospholipase C activation, as suggested by experiments performed in the presence of leupeptin and amiloride.

Thrombin-induced effects are selectively inhibited following treatment of intact human platelets with okadaic acid

The involvement of protein phosphatases in regulating platelet activation was studied. The major portion of the phosphorylase phosphatase activity found in platelet lysates appears to be of the type 1 variety. The identification of this enzyme was based on the finding that greater than 80% of protein phosphatase activity was inhibited by the heat-stable inhibitor protein inhibitor 2 and, while only 20% of the phosphorylase phosphatase activity in platelet extracts was inhibited by 2 nM okadaic acid, greater than 95% of the activity was inhibited in the presence of 1 microM okadaic acid. Increases in protein phosphorylations occurred and thrombin-induced release of serotonin was prevented as a result of artificially inhibiting the enzyme with okadaic acid in intact platelets. This implies either that the regulation of okadaic acid sensitive protein phosphatases is necessary for some agonist-induced effects or that okadaic acid sensitive phosphatases are required for maintaining platelets in a responsive state.

Phosphorylation by protein kinase C inactivates an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase purified from human platelets

An inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase purified from human platelets contains two major components, 53 and 36 kDa polypeptides. Each polypeptide expresses Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent enzymatic activity and is phosphorylated by an unidentified protein kinase in the enzyme preparation. The 36-kDa polypeptide may be further phosphorylated on serine residues by protein kinase C to a stoichiometry of 0.8 mole phosphate per mole of protein. Phosphorylation of the 36-kDa component is correlated with inhibition of the kinase activity; the inhibitory effect is dependent upon Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine/diolein and may be blocked by a selective peptide inhibitor of protein kinase C. Phosphorylation by protein kinase C decreases the Vmax of the enzyme from 160 to 28 nmol/mg/min; the Km (0.76 microM) is not altered. These data suggest that protein kinase C may negatively regulate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase activity in the human platelet.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase in bovine parotid gland: purification and characterization

Calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (CaM-PPase) was isolated from bovine parotid gland by sequential application of DEAE-52, Affi-gel blue and calmodulin-affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration and high performance liquid chromatography. The enzyme was activated in the simultaneous presence of Ni2+ or Mn2+ and Ca2+ plus calmodulin. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent activation of CaM-PPase was antagonized by inhibitors of calmodulin action, such as W-7 and trifluoperazine. Tryptophan fluorescence was quenched in the presence of Ni2+. CaM-PPase was a heterodimer. The molecular weights of large subunits which bound calmodulin (CaM) were 68 kD and 58 kD - the 68 kD subunit was predominant. Polyclonal antibodies against bovine calcineurin cross-reacted with both types of larger subunits. Using polyclonal antibodies against bovine calcineurin or the monoclonal antibody against subunit B of bovine calcineurin, the smaller molecular weight subunit (19 kD) was found to be immunologically identical to subunit B of bovine calcineurin. In bovine parotid gland, CaM-PPase was found both in acinar and duct cells.

Calmodulin-dependent phosphatase preferentially dephosphorylates a 28 kDa protein in human platelets

1. Human platelets contain a calmodulin-dependent phosphatase (calcineurin) that has many properties similar to those of bovine brain calmodulin-dependent phosphatase. 2. The activity of calcineurin phosphatase accounts for a small fraction of the total phosphatase activity in human platelets. 3. Labeling of human platelets with 32P yielded many phosphoproteins. 4. Incubation of a lysate of the 32P-labeled platelets with bovine brain calmodulin-dependent phosphatase led to preferential dephosphorylation of a 28 kDa protein (P28), a minor component of platelet proteins. 5. P28 is one of several proteins that were rapidly labeled upon stimulation of platelets with thrombin. 6. Even though the enzyme is known to catalyze the dephosphorylation of many substrates in vitro, its apparent preference for P28 suggests that its activity is highly selective.

Activation of a calmodulin-dependent phosphatase by a Ca2+-dependent protease

A calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin) was converted to an active, calmodulin-independent form by a Ca2+-dependent protease (calpain I). Proteolysis could be blocked by ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, leupeptin, or N-ethylmaleimide, but other protease inhibitors such as phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, aprotinin, benzamidine, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, and trypsin inhibitor were ineffective. Phosphatase proteolyzed in the absence of calmodulin was insensitive to Ca2+ or Ca2+/calmodulin; the activity of the proteolyzed enzyme was greater than the Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated activity of the unproteolyzed enzyme. Proteolysis of the phosphatase in the presence of calmodulin proceeded at a more rapid rate than in its absence, and the proteolyzed enzyme retained a small degree of sensitivity to Ca2+/calmodulin, being further stimulated some 15-20%. Proteolytic stimulation of phosphatase activity was accompanied by degradation of the 60-kilodalton (kDa) subunit; the 19-kDa subunit was not degraded. In the absence of calmodulin, the 60-kDa subunit was sequentially degraded to 58- and 45-kDa fragments; the 45-kDa fragment was incapable of binding 125I-calmodulin. In the presence of calmodulin, the 60-kDa subunit was proteolyzed to fragments of 58, 55 (2), and 48 kDa, all of which retained some ability to bind calmodulin. These data, coupled with our previous report that the human platelet calmodulin-binding proteins undergo Ca2+-dependent proteolysis upon platelet activation [Wallace, R. W., Tallant, E. A., & McManus, M. C. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 2766-2773], suggest that the Ca2+-dependent protease may have a role in the platelet as an irreversible activator of certain Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent reactions.

Calmodulin-dependent phosphatases of PC12, GH3, and C6 cells: physical, kinetic, and immunochemical properties

Calmodulin-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase (CaMDP) activity has been found in each of three cultured cell lines: rat pheochromocytoma (PC12), glioma (C6), and pituitary adenoma (GH3) cells. These CaMDP activities bind to immobilized calmodulin in the presence of Ca2+ and are eluted by EGTA. Sucrose density centrifugation revealed that the phosphatase activities exhibited sedimentation coefficients of 4.37, 4.23, and 4.59 for proteins derived from C6, GH3, and PC12 cells, respectively. The Stokes radii measured for the PC12 and C6 activities were 41.8 and 40.0 A, respectively. The estimated molecular weights calculated for the enzymes from these data are 79,100 and 72,200. The phosphatase activities required the presence of divalent cations such as Ca2+ or Mn2+ for expression of activity, which was optimal only in the presence of calmodulin. The apparent Km for phosphorylated myelin basic protein substrate was 8 microM. Affinity-purified antibodies to the B subunit of bovine brain CaMDP were found by immunoblot (Western blot) to cross-react with a single protein among proteins extracted from PC12, C6, and GH3 cells that had been resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis. In each case, the cross-reacting protein exhibited an Mr of 16,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.7, values virtually identical to those reported previously for the B subunit of bovine brain CaMDP (sometimes called calcineurin). This cross-reacting protein was found among cellular proteins eluted from immobilized calmodulin by EGTA. Immunocytochemical localization of the cross-reacting protein in undifferentiated PC12 cells or in cells differentiated in response to nerve growth factor revealed its presence diffusely throughout the cytoplasm. These experiments support the contention that each of these cell lines contains a calmodulin-regulated phosphatase homologous physically and kinetically, and immunologically related to bovine brain CaMDP.

A spectrofluorimetric assay of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase using 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate

A continuous spectrofluorimetric assay of calmodulin-dependent phosphatase is described. The assay monitors the formation of a fluorescent 4-methylumbelliferone from the dephosphorylation of 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate and detects as little as 1 pmol of 4-methylumbelliferone. The phosphatase shows a Km of 1.3 mM for the substrate and a Vmax of 100 nmol/mg/min.

Calmodulin antagonists elevate the levels of 32P-labeled polyphosphoinositides in human platelets

The calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promazine, tamoxifen and the naphthalene sulfonamide derivatives W7 and W13 increased the level of 32P-incorporation into human platelet PIP and PIP2. Various drugs with poor anti-calmodulin activity were ineffective. The increase in 32P-PIP and 32P-PIP2 required micromolar concentrations of trifluoperazine and was time-dependent, reaching half-maximal within two minutes of the addition of the drug. These results indicate that the calmodulin antagonists perturb polyphosphoinositide metabolism, probably at the level of the PI- and PIP-kinases and/or the PIP2- and PIP-phosphomonoesterases.