Design,Synthesis and Biological Actmty of Novel Rigid Amidino-Phenylalanine Derivatives as Inhibitors of Thrombin

Abstract

(3S)-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-1-[2R-(4-amidinophenyl)-1-piperidinocarbonylethyl]-2-pyrroli-dinone (1a) is a potent inhibitor of thrombin with an IC₅₀ value by 112 times lower than that of NAPAF’ (racemate). The selectivity versus trypsin can be improved by incorporation of substituents on the naphthyl ring. The mode of binding of the compound was determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Selective inhibition of thrombin by (2R,4R)-4-methyl-1-[N2-[(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-quinolinyl++ +) sulfonyl]-l-arginyl)]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid

The potency of thrombin inhibition by 4-methyl-1-[N2-[(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-quinolinyl)-sulfony l]- L-arginyl]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid (MQPA) depended on the stereoconformation of the 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid moiety. Ki values for bovine alpha-thrombin were 0.019 microM with (2R,4R)-MQPA, 0.24 microM with (2R,4S)-MQPA, 1.9 microM with (2S,4R)-MQPA, and 280 microM with (2S,4S)-MQPA. (2R,4R)-MQPA of the four stereoisomers of MQPA was also the most potent inhibitor for other trypsin-like serine proteases with Ki values of 5.0 microM for trypsin, 210 microM for factor Xa, 800 microM for plasmin, and 1500 microM for plasma kallikrein. Examination of the potency of thrombin inhibition by arginine derivatives related to MQPA in structure suggested the presence of a specific binding site for the carboxamide portion (C-terminal side). The relative inhibitory potency of the four stereoisomers of MQPA for trypsin was nearly identical with that for thrombin, suggesting that the specific binding site for the carboxamide portion is present in both enzymes. Modification of thrombin by phosphopyridoxylation or the presence of heparin did not significantly alter the binding of MQPA.     

Synthesis of novel quinolone and quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (4-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)amides: a late-stage diversification approach to potent 5HT1B antagonists

Multiparallel amenable syntheses of 6-methoxy-8-amino-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid-(4-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)amides (I) and 4-amino-6-methoxy-8-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (4-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)amides (II) which facilitate late-stage diversification at the 8-position of (I) and at the 4- and 8-positions of (II) are described. The resulting novel series were determined to contain potent 5HT(1B) antagonists. Preliminary SAR data are presented.     

Bile acid amides derived from chiral amino alcohols: novel antimicrobials and antifungals

Cholic and deoxycholic acid amides 10-17 have been synthesised from (1R,2R)-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 2, (1S,2S)-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 4, (1R,2R)-1-para-nitrophenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 3, (1S,2S)-1-para-nitrophenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 5. Amide 12 derived from N-succinimidyl ester 9 of deoxycholic acid and (1R,2R)-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 2, found to be active against Cryptococcus neoformans and the amide 17 obtained from N-succinimidyl ester 9 of deoxycholic acid and (1S,2S)-1-para-nitrophenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol 5, is found to be potent against various gram-positive bacteria.     

Amide derivatives with pyrazole carboxylic acids of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2-sulfonamide as new carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: synthesis and investigation of inhibitory effects

Pyrazole carboxylic acid amides of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide were synthesized from 4-benzoyl-1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride and 4-benzoyl-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride. Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (hCA-I and hCA-II) were purified from human erythrocyte cells by the affinity chromatography method. The inhibitory effects of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide 1, acetazolamide 2 and new synthesized amides on these isozymes have been studied in vitro. The I(50) concentrations (the concentration of inhibitor producing a 50% inhibition of CA activity) against hydratase activity ranged from 1.2 to 2.2 nM for hCA-I and from 0.4 to 2 nM for hCA-II. The I(50) values against esterase activity ranged from 1.4 to 8 nM for hCA-I and from 1.3 to 6 nM for hCA-II. The K(i) values were observed between 8.2 x 10(- 5) to 6.2 x 10(- 4) M for hCA-I and between 2.9 x 10(- 4) to 8.2 x 10(- 4) M for hCA-II. The comparison of new synthesized amides to 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide 1, acetazolamide 2 indicated that the new synthesized compounds (18-23) inhibit CA activity more potently than the parent compounds.     

Protease inhibitors, part 13: Specific, weakly basic thrombin inhibitors incorporating sulfonyl dicyandiamide moieties in their structure

A series of compounds has been prepared by reaction of dicyandiamide with alkyl/arylsulfonyl halides as well as arylsulfonylisocyanates to locate a lead for obtaining weakly basic thrombin inhibitors with sulfonyldicyandiamide moieties as the S1 anchoring group. The detected lead was sulfanilyl-dicyandiamide (K1 of 3 microM against thrombin, and 15 microM against trypsin), which has been further derivatized at the 4-amino group by incorporating arylsulfonylureido as well as amino acyl/dipeptidyl groups protected at the amino terminal moiety with benzyloxycarbonyl or tosylureido moieties. The best compound obtained (ts-D-Phe-Pro-sulfanilyl-dicyandiamide) showed inhibition constants of 9 nM against thrombin and 1400 nM against trypsin. pKa measurements showed that the new derivatives reported here do indeed possess a reduced basicity, with the pKa of the modified guanidine moieties in the range 7.9-8.3 pKa units. Molecular mechanics calculations showed that the preferred tautomeric form of these compounds is of the type ArSO2N=C(NH2) NH-CN, probably allowing for the formation of favorable interaction between this new anchoring group and the active site amino acid residue Asp 189, critical for substrate/inhibitor binding to this type of serine protease. Thus, the main finding of the present paper is that the sulfonyldicyandiamide group may constitute an interesting alternative for obtaining weakly basic, potent thrombin inhibitors, which bind with less affinity to trypsin.     

Effect of nitrogen-containing derivatives of the plant triterpenes betulin and glycyrrhetic acid on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM, and Hep G2 tumor cells

Derivatives of the available plant triterpenes glycyrrhetic acid and betulin (betulin succinates and amides of betulonic and 18beta-glycyrrhetic acids containing fragments of long-chain amino acids and a peptide) were synthesized. The inhibitory action of these compounds on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM. and Hep G2 tumor cells and their effect on the apoptosis of these cells were studied. It was shown that betulonic acid amides are more effective inhibitors of the tumor cell growth than the corresponding amides of glycyrrhetic acid. It was also found that betulonic acid amides containing fragments of caprylic, pelargonic, and undecanoic acids are more effective inhibitors of tumor cell growth than betulinic acid. The 17-dipeptide derivative of betulonic acid N-{N-[3-oxo-20(29)-lupen-28-oyl]-9-aminononanoyl}-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid exhibited the maximum inhibitory activity toward the tumor cells studied. Data on the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by betulin derivatives at a concentration of 10 microg/ml were obtained by flow cytometry. The amides of betulonic acid proved to be the most effective inducers of apoptosis.     

Selective inhibition of trypsin by (2R,4R)-4-phenyl-1-[Nalpha-(7- methoxy-2-naphthalenesulfonyl)-L-arginyl]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid

Evidence is accumulating indicating that trypsin stimulates divergent cellular reactions through the proteinase-activated receptor, in addition to its role as the digestive enzyme. In this report, we introduce (2R,4R)- 4-phenyl-1-[N(alpha)-(7-methoxy-2-naphthalenesulfonyl)-l-arginyl]- 2-p iperidinecarboxylic acid as a potent and selective trypsin inhibitor. The agent inhibited trypsin competitively with the K(i) value of 0. 1 micrometer. It inhibited thrombin weakly (K(i) = 2 micrometer) and did not inhibit plasmin, plasma kallikrein, urokinase, and mast cell tryptase (K(i) values for these enzymes are >60 micrometer). Comparative studies with several established proteinase inhibitors revealed that the compound was the first small molecular weight trypsin inhibitor without tryptase inhibitory activity. A docking study has provided a plausible explanation for the molecular mechanism of the selective inhibition showing that the agent fits into the active site of trypsin without any severe collision but that it comes into clash at the 4-phenyl group of piperidine ring against the "60-insertion loop" of thrombin and at the 7-methoxy-2-naphthalenesulfonyl group against Gln(98) of tryptase.     

Geometry of binding of the N alpha-tosylated piperidides of m-amidino-, p-amidino- and p-guanidino phenylalanine to thrombin and trypsin. X-ray crystal structures of their trypsin complexes and modeling of their thrombin complexes

The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes formed with bovine trypsin and the N alpha-tosylated piperidides of m-amidino-, p-amidino- and p-guanidino-D,L-phenylalanine (3-TAPAP, 4-TAPAP and 4-TGPAP) were determined with data to 1.8 A resolution. The L-stereoisomer of 3-TAPAP binds as a compact entity into the active site of trypsin, with the amidino and the carbonyl groups of the central amidinophenylalanyl residue hydrogen-bonded to Gly216 of trypsin. According to modeling and energy minimization, 3-TAPAP fits perfectly in this conformation to the more restrictive thrombin active site also (Bajusz et al. (1978) Int. J. Pept. Prot. Res. 12, 217-221); the piperidine moiety extends into the cage-like S2 subsite of thrombin, but leaves room for additional substituents which might help to improve binding and pharmacological properties. In contrast, 4-TAPAP and 4-TGPAP bind only weakly and in an extended conformation to trypsin; their considerably enhanced affinities for thrombin would suggest a more compact binding to thrombin.     

Kinetics of hydrolysis of amide and anilide substrates of p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine by bovine and porcine trypsins

The rates of hydrolysis of N alpha-benzoyl-p-guanidino-L-phenylalaninamide (Bz-GPA-NH2) and N alpha-substituted p-nitroanilides (pNA) of GPA (benzyloxycarbonyl(Z)-GPA-pNA, benzoyl(Bz)-GPA-pNA and acetyl(Ac)-GPA-pNA) by bovine and porcine trypsins were compared with those of arginine (Arg) substrates. The amide type substrates of GPA were hydrolyzed as fast as those of Arg by the two enzymes with much the same kcat/Km values, though significant differences were found between the kcat and Km values of GPA derivatives and those of Arg derivatives. The kinetic behavior of porcine trypsin toward GPA substrates was almost the same as that of the bovine enzyme. The ratio of the kcat value for Bz-GPA-OEt to that for Bz-GPA-NH2 was much larger than that for the ester to amide substrates of arginine, suggesting that the conformational change of the active site of trypsin induced by a benzene ring in the side chain of Bz-GPA-OEt specifically increases the velocity of the deacylation process of the ester substrate. Remarkably low values of both kcat and Km were found for the tryptic hydrolysis of Z-GPA-pNA and Ac-GPA-pNA, as well as on that of Bz-GPA-pNA (Tsunematsu, H., et al. (1983) J. Biochem. 94, 123-128). Z-GPA-pNA is the best substrate for the two trypsins among the three N alpha-substituted anilide substrates of GPA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Kinetics and mechanism of catalysis by proteolytic enzymes. The kinetics of hydrolysis of esters of γ-guanidino-l-α-toluene-p-sulphonamidobutyric acid by bovine trypsin and thrombin

1. Esters of gamma-guanidino-l-alpha-toluene-p-sulphonamidobutyric acid (alpha-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-norarginine) have been synthesized and shown to be hydrolysed by bovine trypsin and thrombin. As substrates for these enzymes, they were better than esters of alpha-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-homoarginine or of alpha-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-ornithine but not as good as esters of alpha-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-arginine. 2. With trypsin as catalyst, the methyl and propyl esters are hydrolysed at the same rate at high substrate concentrations and hence deacylation of the acyl-enzyme appears to be rate-determining. In the presence of thrombin, however, the methyl ester is hydrolysed much faster than the n-propyl ester. 3. The variation of k(0) with pH indicates that groups with pK((app.)) values of 7.05+/-0.02 and 6.53+/-0.02 must be dissociated in trypsin and thrombin respectively for hydrolysis to proceed. 4. Activation constants have been determined for the trypsin-catalysed hydrolysis of methyl gamma-guanidino-l-alpha-toluene-p-sulphonamidobutyrate and have been compared with the corresponding constants for the hydrolysis of homologous substrates. 5. Cholate increases k(0) and decreases K(m); the effects are more pronounced with thrombin than with trypsin.     

Synthetic inhibitors of serine proteinases. 13. Quantitative structure-activity relationship for inhibition of trypsin and thrombin by 4-amidinophenyl compounds with a ketone structure]

To establish quantitative structure-activity relationships for the inhibition of trypsin, plasmin and thrombin by 4-amidinophenyl compounds with a keto group, attempts have been made to detect correlations between data on inhibition and substituent constants. The inhibitor activity of the derivatives is described by lipophilic or steric substituent constants using linear free energy relationships. To describe the action of beta-ketones, an additional sigma I term is necessary. The lipophilic or steric term stands for binding of the inhibitor side chain to a second hydrophobic binding site of the enzyme. The electronic term describing inductive influences on the keto group suggests the contribution of the beta-keto group to the enzyme inhibitor binding via a tetrahedral conformation of the carbonyl carbon.     

Effect of nitrogen-containing derivatives of the plant triterpenes betulin and glycyrrhetic acid on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM,and Hep G2 tumor cells

Derivatives of the available plant triterpenes glycyrrhetic acid and betulin (betulin succinates and amides of betulonic and 18β-glycyrrhetic acids containing fragments of long-chain amino acids and a peptide) were synthesized. The inhibitory action of these compounds on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM, and Hep G2 tumor cells and their effect on the apoptosis of these cells were studied. It was shown that betulonic acid amides are more effective inhibitors of the tumor cell growth than the corresponding amides of glycyrrhetic acid. It was also found that betulonic acid amides containing fragments of caprylic, pelargonic, and undecanoic acids are more effective inhibitors of tumor cell growth than betulinic acid. The 17-dipeptide derivative of betulonic acid N-{N-[3-oxo-20(29)-lupen-28-oyl]-9-aminononanoyl}-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid exhibited the maximum inhibitory activity toward the tumor cells studied. Data on the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by betulin derivatives at a concentration of 10 μg/ml were obtained by flow cytometry. The amides of betulonic acid proved to be the most effective inducers of apoptosis.     

Mechanism-based isocoumarin inhibitors for trypsin and blood coagulation serine proteases: new anticoagulants

Trypsin, porcine pancreatic kallikrein, and several blood coagulation enzymes, including bovine thrombin, bovine factor Xa, human factor Xa, human plasma factor XIa, human plasma factor XIIa, and human plasma kallikrein, were inactivated by a number of substituted isocoumarins containing basic functional groups (aminoalkoxy, guanidino, and isothiureidoalkoxy). 3-Alkoxy-4-chloro-7-guanidinoisocoumarins were found to be the most potent inhibitors for the coagulation enzymes tested with kobsd/[I] values in the range of 10(3)-10(5) M-1 s-1. 4-Chloro-3-isothiureidoalkoxyisocoumarins show high inhibitory potency toward porcine pancreatic kallikrein, human plasma kallikrein, human factor XIa, human factor XIIa, and trypsin with kobsd/[I] values of the order of 10(4)-10(5) M-1 s-1. The inhibition of these serine proteases by the substituted isocoumarins are time dependent, and the inactivation of trypsin by 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-guanidinoisocoumarins and 7-amino-4-chloro-3-(3-isothiureidopropoxy)isocoumarin occured concurrently with the loss of the isocoumarin absorbance. The complex formed from inactivation of trypsin by these two types of inhibitors was very stable and regained less than 4% activity in 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid buffer (pH 7.5) after 1 day at 25 degrees C and regained 8-45% activity upon addition of buffered 0.29 M hydroxylamine. Trypsin inactivated by other inhibitors regained full activity upon standing or addition of hydroxylamine. Thrombin inactivated by 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-guanidinoisocoumarins was also quite stable and only regained 9-15% activity under similar conditions. These results are consistent with a proposed mechanism, where serine proteases inactivated by aminoalkoxyisocoumarins or isothiureidoalkoxyisocoumarins form acyl enzymes that will deacylate upon standing or addition of hydroxylamine. However, the acyl enzymes formed from 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-guanidinoisocoumarins or 7-amino-4-chloro-3-(3-isothiureidopropoxy)-isocoumarin will decompose further, probably through a quinone imine methide, to give an irreversibly inactivated enzyme by reaction with an active-site nucleophile such as His-57. The quinone imine methide intermediate may also react with a solvent nucleophile to give an acyl enzyme that can be reactivated by hydroxylamine. The inhibitors 4-chloro-7-guanidino-3-methoxyisocoumarin and 4-chloro-3-ethoxy-7-guanidinoisocoumarin have been tested as anticoagulants in human plasma and were effective at prolonging the prothrombin time. However, they are unstable in plasma (t1/2 = 4-8 min), and their in vivo utility may be limited.     

Determination of the operational molarity of solutions of bovine α-chymotrypsin, trypsin, thrombin and factor Xa by spectrofluorimetric titration

Several esters of 4-methylumbelliferone and 2-naphthol were synthesized and examined as possible spectrofluorimetric titrants for bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin, thrombin, Factor Xa and for subtilisin Novo. 4-Methylumbelliferyl p-guanidinobenzoate hydrochloride (MUGB) is a satisfactory titrant for alpha- and beta-trypsin, thrombin and Factor Xa and 4-methylumbelliferyl p-(NNN-trimethylammonium)cinnamate (MUTMAC) is a good titrant for alpha-chymotrypsin. The amount of enzyme used for spectrofluorimetric titration is 0.02-3.00nmol and the amount of 4-methylumbelliferone liberated is independent of the concentration of titrant and stoicheiometrically equal to the amount of enzyme used. Results obtained with MUGB and MUTMAC have been checked by spectrophotometric titration with p'-nitrophenyl p-guanidinobenzoate hydrochloride and p-nitrophenyl N(2)-acetyl-N(1)-benzylcarbazate respectively. p-Nitrophenyl N(2)-acetyl-N(1)-(9-anthrylmethyl)carbazate has been synthesized; it did not react with alpha-chymotrypsin. A satisfactory spectrofluorimetric titrant for subtilisin Novo was not discovered.     

Characterization and detection of lysine-arginine cross-links derived from dehydroascorbic acid

Covalently cross-linked proteins are among the major modifications caused by the advanced Maillard reaction. So far, the chemical nature of these aggregates is largely unknown. L-dehydroascorbic acid (DHA, 5), the oxidation product of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), is known as a potent glycation agent. Identification is reported for the lysine-arginine cross-links N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (9), N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (11), and N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-[(1S,2S)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (13). The formation pathways could be established starting from dehydroascorbic acid (5), the degradation products 1,3,4-trihydroxybutan-2-one (7, L-erythrulose), 3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanal (10, L-threosone), and L-threo-pentos-2-ulose (12, L-xylosone) were proven as precursors of the lysine-arginine cross-links 9, 11, and 13. Products 9 and 11 were synthesized starting from DHA 5, compound N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (16) via the precursor D-erythro-pentos-2-ulose (15). The present study revealed that the modification of lysine and arginine side chains by DHA 5 is a complex process and could involve a number of reactive carbonyl species.     

Trypsin-induced phospholipase activity in human platelets.

Trypsin mediates a release of arachidonic acid with resultant increase in O2 consumption (a reflection of cyclo-oxygenase activity) by whole human platelets that is similar to thrombin's effect on these cells. The trypsin and thrombin effects can be differentiated in two ways: (1) at saturating concentrations the measured effects of trypsin greatly exceed those of thrombin; (2) EGTA [ethanedioxybis(ethylamine)-NNN'N'-tera-acetate] augments the effect of thrombin but not of trypsin. Thus trypsin and thrombin probably act at different loci in the pathway that induces phospholipase activity in human platelets.     

Chemically stabilized trypsin used in dipeptide synthesis

Bovine pancreatic trypsin was treated with ethylene glycol bis(succinic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester). Approximately 8 of 14 lysines per trypsin molecule were modified. This derivative (EG trypsin) was more stable than native between 30 degrees and 70 degrees C: T50 values were 59 degrees C and 46 degrees C, respective. EG trypsin's half-life of 25 min at 55 degrees C was fivefold greater than native's. EG trypsin had a decreased rate of autolysis and retained more activity in aqueous mixtures of 1,4-dioxan, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and acetonitrile. EG trypsin had lower Km values for both amide and ester substrates; its kcat values for two amides (benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide and benzyloxycarbonyl glycyl-glycyl-arginyl-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin) increased, whereas its kcat value for an ester (thiobenzoyl benzoyloxycarbonyl-L-lysinate) decreased slightly. The specific activity (kcat/Km) of EG trypsin was increased for both amide and ester substrates. EG trypsin gave higher yields and reaction rates than native in kinetically controlled synthesis of benzoyl argininyl-leucinamide in acetonitrile and in t-butanol. Highest peptide yields occurred with EG trypsin in 95% acetonitrile, where 90% of the substrate was converted to product. No peptide synthesis occurred in 95% DMF with either form of trypsin.     

Persistent activation of platelet membrane phospholipase C by proteolytic action of trypsin and thrombin

Trypsin causes rapid activation of intact platelets that mimics many actions of thrombin, including the stimulation of phospholipase C (PLC). We have examined the effects of thrombin and trypsin on PLC in a platelet membrane preparation using exogenous [3H]-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) as substrate. Trypsin induced PIP2 breakdown, which was maximal at 20 micrograms/ml, but was reduced at higher concentrations. alpha- and gamma-Thrombins also stimulated PLC-induced hydrolysis of PIP2 in membranes. This effect was inhibited by leupeptin. Exogenous [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) was hydrolyzed in response to both thrombin and trypsin in the same ratio as PIP2. Activation of membrane-bound PLC persisted after removal of thrombin and trypsin. The hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol was not activated by alpha-thrombin and trypsin. We examined the question of whether calpain was involved in the observed PLC activation by thrombin and trypsin. Although dibucaine activated a Ca2(+)-dependent protease as judged by the hydrolysis of actin-binding protein and by the activation of phosphoprotein phosphatases, it failed to stimulate the generation of phosphatidic acid in 32P-prelabeled platelets. Moreover, when PLC was assayed in the membranes, the addition of Ca2(+)-activated neutral proteinases did not increase the rate of hydrolysis of either PIP or PIP2. Our results show that proteases such as trypsin and thrombin are able to stimulate membrane-bound PLC, but this activation does not seem to be related to calpain.