Receptor-induced diacylglycerol formation in permeabilized platelets; possible role for a GTP-binding protein

Regulation of platelet dense granule secretion by the Ral GTPase-exocyst pathway

Non-hydrolyzable GTP analogues, such as guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate (GppNHp), induce granule secretion from permeabilized platelets in the absence of increased intracellular Ca(2+). Here, we show that the GppNHp-induced dense granule secretion from permeabilized platelets occurred concomitantly with the activation of small GTPase Ral. This secretion was inhibited by the addition of GTP-Ral-binding domain (RBD) of Sec5, which is a component of the exocyst complex known to function as a tethering factor at the plasma membrane for vesicles. We generated an antibody against Sec5-RBD, which abolished the interaction between GTP-Ral and the exocyst complex in vitro. The addition of this antibody inhibited the GppNHp-induced secretion. These data indicate that Ral mediates the GppNHp-induced dense granule secretion from permeabilized platelets through interaction with its effector, the exocyst complex. Furthermore, GppNHp enhanced the Ca(2+) sensitivity of dense granule secretion from permeabilized platelets, and this enhancement was inhibited by Sec5-RBD. In intact platelets, the association between Ral and the exocyst complex was induced by thrombin stimulation with a time course similar to that of dense granule secretion and Ral activation. Taken together, our results suggest that the Ral-exocyst pathway participates in the regulation of platelet dense granule secretion by enhancing the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the secretion.

Calcium and exocytosis

Amine secretion from electropermeabilized bovine chromaffin cells and human platelets requires Ca2+ and MgATP. There appears to be little correlation between the pH or potential of the interior of the amine storage granules of the chromaffin cells and the Ca2+ sensitivity or extent of secretion. The Ca2+ sensitivities of secretion for both preparations are increased by activators of protein kinase C. In the platelet, thrombin also increases the Ca2+ sensitivity. The thrombin-induced response is further enhanced by micromolar levels of GTP. The non-hydrolysable analogue GTP gamma S also potentiates the Ca2+-dependent secretory response, but this effect is additive to that seen by thrombin rather than synergistic, as is the case with GTP. GTP gamma S inhibits catecholamine secretion from bovine chromaffin cells. In both preparations the effects of GTP gamma S are inhibited by 10 microM GTP, even though GTP concentrations up to 1 mM are without effect when added alone. These results are consistent with there being two sites of action for the guanine nucleotides, one at the level of the agonist receptor and activated by GTP or one of its breakdown products, and the other one activated by GTP gamma S--possibly at the level of protein kinase C itself.

Copper and signal transduction: platelets as a model to determine the role of copper in stimulus-response coupling

Platelets from copper-deficient rats have been used as a model to investigate the role of copper in receptor-mediated cellular responses. Copper deficiency doubles the rate of dense granule secretion and increases myosin association with the platelet cytoskeleton following thrombin stimulation. Mechanisms underlying the effects of copper deficiency on thrombin-induced signals that elicit dense granule secretion involve suppression of protein kinase C activity and impairment of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Copper deficiency also reduces the cellular GTP content of platelets. This may limit receptor effector coupling through GTP-dependent regulatory proteins leading to protein kinase C activation and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The reduction in GTP content during copper deficiency results from its utilization to maintain cellular ATP levels in response to severely inhibited cytochrome c oxidase activity in platelet mitochondria. Thus, the role of copper in maintaining normal signal transduction may be indirectly related to its biological function in mitochondria.

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.

Involvement of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors and G proteins in the modulation of platelet secretion in response to Streptococcus sanguis

In the presence of plasma, human platelets secrete the contents of their dense granules and then aggregate in response to certain strains of Streptococcus sanguis. After 2 to 5 min of incubation with streptococci, platelets from fast-responding donors will begin to aggregate. Slow responders aggregate after a longer delay. Platelets may secrete after a short (fast responder) or long (slow responder) delay because of differences in the basal levels or responses to potentiating catecholamines. To test this hypothesis in vitro, endogenous basal catecholamine levels in platelets and plasma from fast and slow responders were analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The total basal concentration of epinephrine in platelets plus plasma was fourfold higher in fast responders, with the platelet compartment showing the greatest difference. The basal affinity of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors in platelets from both groups was similar when estimated using a specific antagonist, [3H]-yohimbine. Platelets from all donors showed decreased alpha 2-adrenoreceptor affinity in the presence of low (2 nM), but not higher (10 nM), concentrations of added epinephrine. Platelets in the two groups were then compared for secretion of ATP. More ATP was secreted after a shorter delay from fast responding platelets, which was mimicked in slow responders by adding physiologically attainable levels (40 nM) of epinephrine. Addition of the alpha 2-antagonist, phentolamine (10 microM), to the platelets of slow and fast responders completely inhibited or reduced secretion by one third, respectively. Therefore, alpha 2-adrenoreceptors modulate the secretory response of platelets to cells of S. sanguis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence that activation of phospholipase D can mediate secretion from permeabilized platelets

Studies on electropermeabilized human platelets indicated that any two of three distinct factors must be present for marked secretion of dense or alpha-granule constituents to occur. These factors are Ca2+, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and activation of an unidentified GTP-binding protein ('GE'). Thus, in the absence of Ca2+, phorbol ester and GTP[S] acted synergistically to promote secretion, whereas in the presence of Ca2+, either activation of PKC or addition of GTP[S] was sufficient. In all cases, secretion correlated with the activation of phospholipase D (PLD), as detected by the formation of [3H]phosphatidic acid (PA) in the absence of ethanol or of [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt) in the presence of ethanol. Secretion did not correlate with phospholipase C (PLC) activity or with the accumulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), both of which required Ca2+ and were inhibited by phorbol ester. Ethanol partially inhibited secretion in the absence of Ca2+. BAPTA, a known inhibitor of Ca(2+)-independent secretion in permeabilized cells, caused parallel inhibitions of secretion and PLD activity. GTP[S] enhanced PKC activity, as indicated by pleckstrin phosphorylation, apparently by stimulating the formation of PA in the absence of Ca2+, as well as of DAG in the presence of Ca2+. PA and stable analogues, including PEt, stimulated the Ca(2+)-independent phosphorylation of pleckstrin and other proteins in platelet supernatant fraction. The results suggest that PA formed by activation of PLD may mediate secretion from permeabilized platelets by PKC-dependent and independent mechanisms. However, in intact platelets stimulated by thrombin, PLD accounted for only 10-20% of the total PA formed and can only play a major role in secretion if this PA fraction is distinct from that formed by the combined actions of PLC and DAG kinase.

Normal thrombin binding leads to greater fibrinogen binding and increased platelet aggregation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study was conducted to determine the mechanisms of increased platelet reactivity to thrombin in hypertension. Thrombin induced significantly greater platelet aggregation in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) than in normotensive (Wistar Kyoto, WKY) rats. Fibrinogen and thrombin binding to platelets was determined using [125I]-fibrinogen and [125I]-thrombin respectively. Increased platelet aggregation in SHR correlated with thrombin-induced greater binding of fibrinogen to SHR than to WKY platelets. However, the number of thrombin receptors (binding sites/platelet) in WKY (19,500 +/- 3,000) and SHR (23,100 +/- 3,000) as well as thrombin dissociation constants were statistically similar in WKY (1.17 +/- 0.2 microM) and SHR (1.62 +/- 0.27 microM) platelets. Fura 2/AM, a fluorescent calcium indicator, loaded platelets were used to quantify the platelet ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i). The [Ca2+]i in unstimulated SHR and WKY platelets was essentially the same. In a calcium poor medium, thrombin-induced a 35% greater increase in [Ca2+]i in SHR than in WKY platelets. These data, taken together with our earlier observations that thrombin induces a significantly greater hydrolysis of phosphoinositide (Thromb. Res. 49, 5-21, 1988), lead us to suggest that thrombin-induced increased generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol induces greater fibrinogen binding and consequently increased aggregation in SHR than WKY platelets. The finding that the thrombin binding isotherms are similar in WKY and SHR platelets suggests that increased platelet sensitivity to thrombin in hypertension may be due to altered signal transduction and not due to changes in the number or affinity of thrombin receptors.

Increased inositol phosphate accumulation in platelets from patients with NIDDM

We evaluated thrombin-induced inositol phosphate accumulation in [3H]inositol-labeled platelets prepared from patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. There were no significant differences in [3H]inositol incorporation into and contents of phosphoinositides between the diabetic patients and their age-matched control subjects. Thrombin induced a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphate. The accumulation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate and [3H]inositol bisphosphate by thrombin stimulation were significantly enhanced in platelets from the diabetic patients, although the accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate did not differ between the diabetic patients and the control subjects. In addition, the platelet aggregation rate induced by thrombin was also significantly enhanced in the diabetic patients in correlation with the enhanced inositol phosphate accumulation. These results suggest that increased inositol phosphate accumulation may cause accelerated platelet functions in diabetes mellitus.

Assay of a phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate phospholipase C activity in postmortem human brain

The activity of a phospholipase C which hydrolyses exogenous phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [( 3H]PtdIns(4,5)P2) in membranes prepared from frozen postmortem human brain and rat brain was investigated. Enzyme characteristics were essentially similar in membranes prepared from frozen postmortem brain and fresh or frozen rat brain. The [3H]PtdIns(4,5)P2 solubilization and assay procedure employed resulted in an efficient availability of the substrate for the enzyme. The non-hydrolysable guanosine triphosphate analogue guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]diphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) stimulated hydrolysis rapidly with a half maximum activity of approximately 25 microM. This stimulation was not specific for guanine nucleotides as ATP, imidodiphosphate and pyrophosphate also caused enzyme activation. However these activation effects could be distinguished by the polyanion spermine. The non-hydrolysable guanine dinucleotide analogue guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate acted as a partial agonist thereby inhibiting the stimulatory effect of Gpp[NH]p. Gpp[NH]p-stimulated enzyme activity showed a maximum response in the presence of 1 mM deoxycholate and displayed a pH optima in the range 7.0-7.5. PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis was observed in the absence of added calcium, but hydrolytic cleavage was inhibited in the presence of divalent ion chelators. Magnesium inhibited PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. Elucidation of these aspects of the phosphatidylinositol cycle in normal human postmortem brain will permit comparative studies in CNS disease states.

Second messengers derived from inositol lipids

Many hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters stimulate their target cells by promoting the hydrolysis of plasma-membrane phosphoinositides to form the two second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. In such cells, ligand-receptor interaction stimulates specific phospholipases that are activated by guanyl nucleotide regulatory G proteins or tyrosine phosphorylation. In many cells, the initial rise in cytoplasmic calcium due to Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced mobilization of calcium from agonist-sensitive stores is followed by a sustained phase of cytoplasmic calcium elevation that maintains the target-cell response, and is dependent on influx of extracellular calcium. Numerous inositol phosphates are formed during metabolism of the calcium-mobilizing messenger, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], to lower and higher phosphorylated derivatives. The cloning of several phospholipase-C isozymes, as well as the Ins(1,4,5)P3-5 kinase and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor, have clarified several aspects of the diversity and complexity of the phosphoinositide-calcium signaling system. In addition to their well-established roles in hormonal activation of cellular responses such as secretion and contraction, phospholipids and their hydrolysis products have been increasingly implicated in the actions of growth factors and oncogenes on cellular growth and proliferation.

Factors affecting dense and alpha-granule secretion from electropermeabilized human platelets: Ca(2+)-independent actions of phorbol ester and GTP gamma S

Electropermeabilized human platelets containing 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine ([14C]5-HT) were suspended in a glutamate medium containing ATP and incubated for 10 min with (in various combinations) Ca2+ buffers, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), guanine nucleotides, and thrombin. Release of [14C]5-HT and beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) were used to measure secretion from dense and alpha-granules, respectively. Ca2+ alone induced secretion from both granule types; half-maximal effects were seen at a -log [Ca2+ free] (pCa) of 5.5 and maximal secretion at a pCa of 4.5, when approximately 80% of 5-HT and approximately 50% of beta TG were released. Addition of PMA, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), GTP, or thrombin shifted the Ca2+ dose-response curves for secretion of both 5-HT and beta TG to the left and caused small increases in the maximum secretion observed. These results suggested that secretion from alpha-granules, like that from dense granules, is a Ca(2+)-dependent process stimulated by the sequential activation of a G-protein, phospholipase C, and protein kinase C (PKC). However, high concentrations of PMA and GTP gamma S had distinct effects in the absence of Ca2+ (pCa greater than 9); 100 nM PMA released approximately 20% of platelet 5-HT but little beta TG, whereas 100 microM GTP gamma S stimulated secretion of approximately 25% of each. Simultaneous addition of PMA greatly enhanced these effects of GTP gamma S. Phosphorylation of pleckstrin in permeabilized platelets incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP was used as an index of the activation of PKC during secretion. In the absence of Ca2+, 100 nM PMA caused maximal phosphorylation of pleckstrin and 100 microM GTP gamma S was approximately 50% as effective as PMA; neither GTP gamma S nor Ca2+ enhanced the phosphorylation of pleckstrin caused by 100 nM PMA. These results indicate that, although activation of PKC promoted secretion, GTP gamma S exerted additional stimulatory effects on secretion from both dense and alpha-granules that were not mediated by PKC. Measurement of [3H]inositol phosphate formation in permeabilized platelets containing [3H]phosphoinositides showed that GTP gamma S did not stimulate phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in the absence of Ca2+. It follows that in permeabilized platelets, GTP gamma S can both stimulate PKC and enhance secretion via G-protein-linked effectors other than this phospholipase.

Endothelin does not affect aggregation of human platelets

Endothelin (ET-1) is a recently discovered endothelial-derived peptide with pronounced vasoconstrictor activity. The present study addressed whether ET-1, in analogy with several other vasoactive agents, can induce or modulate aggregation of human platelets in vitro. Venous blood from healthy donors was collected in citrate or heparin and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was prepared. Portions of the PRP were added to drugs, and platelet aggregation was recorded according to Born & Cross (1963). ET-1 added to the PRP (final concentrations 1-100 nM) did not induce aggregation of platelets, either in citrate- or heparin-containing plasma. Adenosine-diphosphate (0.5-2 microM) or thrombin (0.1-0.4 NIH units ml-1) induced dose-dependent aggregation of platelets in citrate- or heparin-containing PRP; such aggregation was, however, not affected by ET-1 (1-100 microM) either. We conclude that ET-1, in contrast to other endothelial-derived vasoactive agents, lacks direct effect on platelet aggregation in vitro.

The molecular basis of enzyme secretion

Acinar cells are one of the best studied models of exocytotic secretion. A number of different hormones and neurotransmitters interact with specific membrane receptors, and it is commonly held that pancreatic secretagogues stimulate enzyme release via the elevation of either cytosolic free Ca2+ or cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The discovery of the pivotal role played by phospholipid metabolism in the chain of events leading to secretion, together with the introduction of sensitive techniques to monitor cytosolic free Ca2+, has generated a series of studies that have challenged this classical model. Thus, several observations in pancreatic acini as well as other cell types have argued against the notion that a generalized increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ represents a sufficient and necessary stimulus for exocytosis in nonexcitable cells. Furthermore, the demonstration that a single agonist activates multiple transduction pathways has served to refute the schematic view that receptor agonists activate only one second messenger system. The aim of this article is to review the recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of signal transduction, with particular emphasis on the inositol lipid pathway, and to integrate this information into a new working model of enzyme secretion from acinar cells.

Regulation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C

The receptors involved in the regulation of phospholipase C by hormones, neurotransmitters and other ligands have seven transmembrane-spanning hydrophobic regions (seven-helix motif) and no known enzymatic activity. Furthermore these receptors can be isolated as complexes with guanine nucleotide binding (G) proteins. Guanine nucleotides affect the binding of hormones that stimulate phospholipase C and it has been possible to see activation of GTPase activity in membranes upon addition of these ligands. Further indirect evidence for a Gp (p stands for phospholipase C activation) protein is the finding that in membranes agonist activation of phospholipase C requires the presence of GTP gamma S a non-hydrolyzable analog of GTP. Furthermore, fluoride is able to activate phospholipase C but its inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-4' kinase (PI-4' kinase) can interfere with efforts to demonstrate this in intact cells. There are four major isozymes of phospholipase C that have been cloned and sequenced. Recently it was found that phospholipase C-gamma as well as PI-3'-kinase are substrates for phosphorylation on tyrosine residues by the EGF and PDGF receptors. The PI-3' kinase is able to convert phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) but the function of this lipid is unknown since it is not a substrate for any known phospholipase C. While much has been learned about the structure and regulation of the phosphoinositide specific kinases and phosphodiesterase enzymes this is a relatively new field in which we can expect many advances during the next few years.

Guanine nucleotides and Ca2(+)-dependent lysosomal secretion in electropermeabilised human platelets

1. Metabolically stable analogues of GTP, e.g. guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate (pp[NH]pG), enhance the extent of Ca2(+)-dependent secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase from electropermeabilised human platelets in the presence of less than 5 microM Ca2+. A similar effect is observed on addition either of 1,2-dioctanoin or of GTP in in the presence or absence of thrombin. 2. In the presence of higher Ca2+ concentrations the extent of enhancement of lysosomal secretion declines and little, or no, enhancement is observed at a [Ca2+] of 30-40 microM. Addition of leupeptin or antipain prevents this decrease in lysosomal secretion and enhances the extent of Ca2(+)-dependent lysosomal secretion obtained in the presence or absence of guanine nucleotides, thrombin or 1,2-dioctanoin. 3. The concentration of GTP[S] or pp[NH]pG required to obtain half-maximal enhancement of lysosomal secretion is dependent on [Ca2+] for secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase. At two fixed [Ca2+] the median effective concentration (EC50) values for GTP[S] and pp[NH]pG which characterise enhancement of 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion are significantly different from those characterising enhancement of the secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase. 4. In the presence of a saturating concentration of GTP[S] marked 5-hydroxytryptamine and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase secretion is observed at nanomolar [Ca2+] and these responses show little dependence on [Ca2+] over the attainable range. Secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is also induced at nanomolar Ca2+ concentrations by addition of activators of protein kinase C. 5. Guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate inhibits enhancement of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase secretion induced by GTP[S] but has no effect on secretion of this enzyme induced by Ca2+ when added alone. 6. Our data provide some support for a model in which addition of metabolically stable guanine nucleotides enhances Ca2(+)-dependent platelet lysosomal secretion by activating a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (GE) located close to the exocytotic site. However, not all the data are consistent with this postulate.

Pertussis toxin in the analysis of receptor mechanisms

G proteins play a critical role in signal transduction across cell membranes. Information about the diversity of G protein structure and function has provided valuable insights into the nature of the complex actions exerted by hormones and neurotransmitters on different cells and biological systems. A common finding of the biophysical and biochemical studies described above is that G proteins have the potential to couple neurotransmitter or hormone receptors to multiple cellular effector systems. When this occurs in a cell, it may allow a particular hormone or transmitter to regulate a variety of different cellular events simultaneously. Furthermore, it has become clear that different receptors can couple to the same G protein. When this occurs in the same cell, it may provide the basis for the convergent regulation of cell activity by various hormones or neurotransmitters. Thus, G proteins greatly diversify the manner by which hormones and neurotransmitters can regulate cells. As more information is available on the mechanisms by which G proteins recognize and interact with receptors and effector systems, we may be able to better understand the specific events involved in signal transduction and the subtle processes by which hormones and neurotransmitters can control cell activity.

Stimulated cholesterol-enriched platelets display increased cytosolic Ca2+ and phospholipase A activity independent of changes in inositol trisphosphates and agonist/receptor binding

To investigate the mechanism of enhanced responsiveness of cholesterol-enriched human platelets, we compared stimulation by surface-membrane-receptor (thrombin) and post-receptor (AlF4-) G-protein-directed pathways. Platelets were labelled with [32P]Pi and [methyl-3H] choline chloride, incubated with sonicated lipid dispersions of various ratios of cholesterol and phospholipid, and loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. We report the following. (1) Cholesterol enrichment enhances cytosolic Ca2+ accumulation and phospholipase A activation in response to both receptor-directed and post-receptor-directed agonists. No enhancement by cholesterol of phospholipase A activity at fixed Ca2+ concentrations is observed in lysed platelets, implying that no perturbation by cholesterol of phospholipase A/substrate interaction occurs in our preparations. (2) In both normal and cholesterol-enriched platelets, Ca2+ mobilization is promoted by a factor(s) apart from InsP3 that appear(s) to be modulated by cholesterol. A disproportionate increase in cytosolic Ca2+ relative to [32P]InsP3 is observed with increasing doses of thrombin in normal, and to a larger extent in cholesterol-enriched, platelets. When AlF4- is the agonist, there is no cholesterol-associated enhancement in [32P]InsP3 to account for the heightened Ca2+ rise seen with cholesterol enrichment. (3) Enhanced phospholipase A activation is not necessarily proportional to cytosolic Ca2+ increase. The magnitude of the increase in phospholipase A activity for a given rise in cytosolic Ca2+ is greater in cholesterol-enriched platelets that are stimulated by AlF4- than in those stimulated by thrombin. We conclude that increased membrane microviscosity associated with cholesterol enrichment may promote G-protein/phospholipase A interaction as well as the Ca2(+)-release mechanism, without significantly altering G-protein/phospholipase C interaction.

Calcium-dependent and calcium-independent exocytosis

A large body of evidence supports the concept that calcium (Ca2+) plays a pivotal role in the control of exocytosis. However, recent experiments suggest that a rise in intracellular Ca2+ does not necessarily trigger secretion, and also that secretion can occur independently of cytosolic free calcium levels. This article briefly summarizes the early evidence that has formulated the role of Ca2+ in secretion, and then examines some of the recent evidence suggesting a Ca2+-independent mechanism of exocytosis.

GTP gamma S increases thrombin-mediated inositol trisphosphate accumulation in permeabilized human endothelial cells

Ca2+-mobilizing agonists stimulate phospholipase C-mediated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation in pulmonary as well as in peripheral vascular endothelial cells (EC). In general, it is believed that receptor-phospholipase C interactions involve a guanine nucleotide regulatory (G) protein. This interaction can be inhibited by Bordetella pertussis toxin in certain cells. Here we report that pertussis toxin catalyzes the [32P]ADP ribosylation of a Mr = 41,000 protein in human umbilical vein EC. However, prior EC treatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml for 20 h) does not inhibit thrombin-induced Ca2+ flux or IP3 formation, despite markedly attenuating the radiolabeling of the Mr = 41,000 protein (less than 5% control). Treatment of digitonin-permeabilized human umbilical vein EC with GTP gamma S, a stable GTP analog, or AIF4-, but not with GDP beta S, stimulates IP3 accumulation. However, GDP beta S inhibits GTP gamma S-induced IP3 accumulation. Although thrombin alone is not very effective in elevating IP3 levels in permeabilized EC, thrombin and GTP gamma S act in a synergistic fashion to increase IP3 accumulation. Overall, these observations are interpreted to indicate that a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein is a key intermediate in the signaling pathway linking thrombin receptors to phospholipase C in human umbilical vein EC.

Characterization of GTP-gamma-S binding to isolated human platelet plasma membranes and its relationship with the stimulation of a phospholipase C activity

Binding parameters for the interaction of GTP-gamma-[35S] with isolated platelet plasma membranes have been studied. Analysis of the data by a non-linear curve fitting program indicates that the interaction can be satisfactory described by a model with a single, high affinity binding site (Kd = 0.3 +/- 0.07 microM and Bm = 0.4 +/- 0.2 nmoles of GTP-gamma-S/mg of membrane protein). Binding is selectively inhibited by GDP-beta-S and GMP-PNP (1 microM), but not affected by ATP, CTP, ITP, or UTP, even at mM concentration. Optimal conditions for the interaction were 30 degrees C and pH 8.0. Incubation of the isolated membranes with GTP-gamma-S results in a measurable phospholipase C activity (as detected both by a breakdown of phosphoinositides and an increase of inositide phosphates) which under our experimental conditions is only slightly enhanced by addition of cytosolic proteins. Our results indicate that platelet plasma membranes contain all the necessary elements for signal transduction through the diacylglycerol/inositolphosphates pathway.

High incorporation of [3H]inositol into phosphoinositides of human platelets during reversible electropermeabilisation

A new method for high incorporation of [3H]inositol into human platelets is described. The method involves incorporation of [3H]inositol during reversible electropermeabilisation by high voltage discharge, followed by resealing the cells during incubation at 37 degrees C. Between 10- and 20-fold increase of isotope uptake is achieved compared to control intact cells. Permeabilised resealed platelets maintain good responses to thrombin and collagen. Analysis of the incorporation of the label amongst the phosphoinositides shows 70% to be in PI, 20% in PIP, and 10% in PIP2. Stimulation with thrombin and analysis of the formation of IP1, IP2 and IP3 shows the labelling to occur in a hormone-sensitive pool. These studies indicate that reversible electropermeabilisation can be used to achieve good uptake of non-membrane penetrating substances such as inositol.

Interaction of cerebral-cortical membranes with exogenously added phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Effects on measured phospholipase C activity

Exogenously added phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) is rapidly associated with cerebral-cortical membranes. Substrate association with membranes was promoted by Mg2+, but inhibited by bivalent chelators. Once associated with the membrane, the PtdInsP2 was resistant to displacement by EDTA. The apparent phospholipase C activity was dependent on the degree of association of substrate with membranes. After preincubation of membranes with substrate, PtdInsP2 hydrolysis was independent of the incubation volume, indicating that substrate and membrane-associated phospholipase C were not independently diluted. Hydrolysis of the membrane-associated substrate was stimulated by Ca2+, guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG), guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate and carbachol in the presence of p[NH]ppG. Carbachol in the absence of guanine nucleotides, GDP, GTP, ATP and pyrophosphate was ineffective. These results demonstrate that exogenously added PtdInsP2 substrate is rapidly associated with membranes and hydrolysed by a phospholipase C whose activity is regulated by guanine nucleotides and agonist in the presence of guanine nucleotides. Use of exogenously added substrate for studies on the regulation of membrane phospholipase C requires consideration as to possible effects of incubation conditions on the partitioning of substrate into membranes.

Reversible electropermeabilisation of human and rat blood platelets: evaluation of morphological and functional integrity 'in vitro' and 'in vivo'

A high-voltage discharge procedure has been developed for permeabilising the plasma membranes of both human and rat blood platelets. The cells can be resealed by incubation at 37 degrees C, show less than 4% loss of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) implying minimal cell lysis and also have well maintained morphological and functional integrity. The prototype apparatus used at field strengths between 6 and 8 kV/cm produces membrane pores which allow free diffusion of low molecular weight substances such as adenine nucleotides, inositol phosphate and fluorescent dyes. Two properties, namely Ca2+-induced secretion of granule stored 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced release of intracellularly sequestered 45Ca, which are both well expressed immediately after permeabilisation, are essentially abolished after resealing. The efficiency of permeabilisation and resealing can be simply monitored by shifts in 'apparent platelet volume' using a resistive particle counter (Coulter). Permeabilised platelets show a shift in modal volumes from a control range 4-7 fl to 10-15 fl. Resealing restores these modal volumes to the original control range. Encapsulation of the fluorochrome, Lucifer yellow (Mr 550), during permeabilisation revealed that after resealing greater than 85% of rat platelets, and close to 100% human platelets, contained the encapsulated dye. The initial rates and % aggregation responses of both human and rat platelets to collagen, thrombin and the thromboxane A2-mimetic U46619 remained essentially normal after permeabilisation and resealing further illustrating the maintenance of functional competence following treatment. Resealed rat platelets reinfused into the circulation after labelling with [111In]indium oxine gave survival curves similar to those of control platelets. Therefore, this reversible permeabilisation procedure may allow the use of autologous or heterologous platelets as carrier vehicles for the delivery of drugs and other agents 'in vivo'.

Characterization of the membrane-associated GTPase activity: effects of chemotactic factors and toxins

Membranes prepared from rabbit neutrophils exhibit GTPase activity which can be stimulated by the chemotactic factor fMet-Leu-Phe. The maximum contribution of the ATPase activities to the basal and the fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated GTPase activities are less than 20% and 9%, respectively. The basal GTPase activity has a Vmax = 34.2 +/- 1.3 (pmol/mg protein, min) and a Km = 0.39 +/- 0.03 microM; and the fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated has a Vmax = 52.3 +/- 2.5 (pmol/mg protein, min), and a Km = 0.29 +/- 0.02 microM. The GTPase activity can be stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4. Unlike these two chemotactic factors, concanavalin A does not stimulate this GTPase activity. In addition, the rise in intracellular concentration of free calcium produced by concanavalin A is not inhibited by pertussis toxin treatment. Both the basal and stimulated GTPase activities are affected by pertussis toxin, cholera toxin and N-ethylmaleimide.

Inhibition by cyclic AMP of guanine nucleotide-induced activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in human platelets

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity of human platelet membranes was activated by the nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide GTP gamma S. This activation did not occur in either membranes prepared from dibutyryl cyclic AMP-pretreated platelets (A-membranes) or those prepared from untreated cells and subsequently incubated with cyclic AMP (cAMP) (B-membranes). This cAMP-mediated inhibition was abolished in the presence of inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase), suggesting that the inhibition was due to phosphorylation of (a) protein component(s). No significant differences were observed in the basal PLC activity and the extent of pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation among control membranes and the two types of phosphorylated membranes (A- and B-membranes). GTP-binding activities of Gs, Gi and GTP-binding proteins of lower molecular masses were not altered by the phosphorylation of the membranes. These findings suggest that a GTP-binding protein is involved in the GTP gamma S-mediated activation of PLC and that cAMP (plus A-kinase) inhibits this activation by phosphorylating a membrane protein (probably a 240-kDa protein), rather than the GTP-binding protein or PLC itself. It is likely that this phosphorylation uncouples the GTP-binding protein from PLC.

Increased vascular contractile sensitivity to serotonin in spontaneously hypertensive rats is linked with increased turnover of phosphoinositide

This study was conducted to determine if increased vascular contractile sensitivity to serotonin in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats is linked with increased phosphoinositide turnover. Aortic and mesenteric artery rings from SHR exhibited 6.2- and 5.0-fold greater contractile sensitivity to serotonin than the aortic and mesenteric artery rings from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Serotonin-induced turnover of phosphoinositide was measured by quantifying the accumulation of [3H] inositol labeled inositol monophosphate (IP), inositol bisphosphate (IP2) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3). Serotonin (3, 30, 200 microM) induced significantly greater accumulation of IP in SHR (279%, 590%, 895%) than in WKY (24%, 127%, 328%) aortic rings. Similarly, 3, 30 and 200 microM serotonin induced significantly greater accumulation of IP2 (118%, 241%, 451%) and IP3 (90%, 100%, 247%) in SHR than the accumulation of IP2 (15%, 58%, 122%) and IP3 (19%, 27%, 73%) in WKY aortic rings. Based on these data it is suggested that the greater vascular sensitivity to serotonin in SHR, at least in part, is attributable to increased turnover of phosphoinositide.

Phorbol ester treatment inhibits thrombin but not stable GTP analogue-induced platelet granule secretion despite inhibition of phosphatidate formation with both agonists

Previous work has demonstrated that pre-treatment of platelets with phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C eg phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in an inhibition of inositol phospholipid breakdown and granule secretion induced by physiological agonists such as thrombin and collagen. In the present study, the effect of pre-treatment with PMA on granule secretion and [32P]-phosphatidate (PA) formation induced by the stable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-[gamma thio] triphosphate (GTP gamma S) was examined in saponin-permeabilized platelets. A low concentration of PMA ie 1.6nM, that did not induce significant 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) secretion on its own, but inhibited low-dose thrombin-induced 5HT secretion totally and PA formation by 30-40% in intact as well as permeabilised platelets was chosen. Our results demonstrate a lack of inhibition of GTP gamma S (40 microM)-induced 5HT secretion by PMA in permeabilised platelets, despite significant inhibition (70%) of PA formation, suggesting that apart from the diacylglycerol pathway of secretion which may be common to thrombin and GTP analogues, secretion induced by physiological agonists such as thrombin may involve another mechanism that is inhibitable by phorbol esters.

Action of guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate on thrombin-induced activation and Ca2+ mobilization in saponin-permeabilized and intact human platelets

The non-hydrolysable guanine analogues guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[S]) have been used extensively (as promoters and inhibitors respectively) to probe the importance of G-protein function. We report on the use of GDP[S] in permeabilized and intact platelets. The stimulatory analogue GTP[S] (9-60 microM) induces shape change, aggregation and 5-hydroxy[14C]-tryptamine secretion when added to saponin (12-14 micrograms/ml)-permeabilized platelets, but not to intact platelets. In line with the activation responses in permeabilized cells, GTP[S] induces an increase in [32P]-phosphatidic acid, which is indicative of phospholipase C activity. GDP[S] (greater than 400 microM) totally inhibits GTP[S] (90 microM)-stimulated phospholipase C activity and functional responses in saponized platelets. GDP[S] (1 mM) was also effective at inhibiting low-dose thrombin (0.1 unit/ml)-induced aggregation and secretion responses (without affecting shape change) in permeabilized platelets with inhibition of [32P]-phosphatidic acid formation. At higher doses of thrombin (greater than 0.5 unit/ml), both functional responses and [32P]phosphatidic acid formation are restored in the presence of GDP[S]. Studies on intact cells revealed that GDP[S] was as effective at inhibiting low-dose thrombin-induced functional responses as in the permeabilized cells, but there was no inhibition of [32P]phosphatidic acid formation, indicating that the agent is nonmembrane-penetrating. This reflected the fact that GDP[S] has additional inhibitory sites on the surface of platelets. In Fura-2-loaded cells GDP[S] inhibited thrombin-induced Ca2+ mobilization, as measured by Fura-2 fluorescence, in a dose-dependent manner. In studies with and without Ca2+ present on the outside, the effect of GDP[S] was to block Ca2+ influx. These studies indicate that, although GDP[S] is a valuable tool in studying G-protein function in permeabilized cells, it also has inhibitory activities on the surface of platelets, and one of these has been identified as an effect on the Ca2+-influx channel after agonist stimulation.

Evidence implicating protein kinase C in exocytosis from electropermeabilized bovine chromaffin cells

The calcium sensitivity of exocytosis from electro-permeabilized chromaffin cells is increased by activators of protein kinase C, such as TPA and certain phorbol esters, diacylglycerols, and mezerein. A range of putative inhibitors of protein kinase C block both the phorbol ester-sensitive component of secretion and also the underlying insensitive component. These inhibitors are also shown to inhibit medulla protein kinase C activity in vitro. The extent of secretion is reduced when electro-permeabilized cells are exposed to Ca2+ levels much in excess of 50 microM. The onset of inhibition is faster than the relatively slow rate of Ca-dependent exocytosis and is insensitive to inhibitors of proteolysis. Adrenal medulla protein kinase C activity is also irreversibly inhibited by high Ca2+ concentrations. Both the secretory response and the protein kinase C activity in vitro have similar nucleotide and cation specificities. Although these data do not definitely establish an involvement of protein kinase C in exocytosis, none argue against it.