Differences between platelet and microparticle glycoprotein IIb/IIIa.

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb and IIIa are major constituents of the platelet membrane which are involved in forming the fibrinogen receptor on activated platelets. We used flow cytometry to study the effects of ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the membrane GPIIb/IIIa complexes of platelets and microparticles, and to study the effects of cations on dissociated GP complexes. Microparticles were detected by both the volume signal and by fluorescence using an FITC-conjugated anti-GPIb antibody (NNKY5-5). When platelets were stimulated with ADP, calcium ionophore A23187, or thrombin, fibrinogen binding to the platelet surface increased markedly. However, fibrinogen binding to microparticles showed little increase in response to such agonists. Microparticle GPIIb/IIIa complexes were dissociated by incubation with EDTA at 37 degrees C but did not reassociate after treatment with divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+) in contrast to platelet GPIIb/IIIa complexes. These results suggest that some interaction of GPIIb/IIIa and linked structures like the platelet cytoskeleton may be involved in the reassociation of dissociated GPIIb and GPIIIa, perhaps explaining the failure of reassociation of microparticle GPIIb/IIIa (i.e., the fibrinogen binding to microparticles).     

Ca2+ influx mediated through the GPIIb/IIIa complex during platelet activation

When aequorin-loaded platelets were stimulated with thrombin, the luminescence signal of aequorin showed two peaks. From experiments with 1 mM external Ca2+ or EGTA, both one-half of the first peak and the entire second peak reflected the influx of Ca2+ from the external medium, and the remaining half of the first peak reflected the mobilization of Ca2+ from its storage site. A monoclonal antibody (TM83) that recognizes the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) complex which has binding sites for fibrinogen and the synthetic peptide GRGDSP are known to inhibit fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation. Both eliminated the second peak of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). Similar effects were observed during activation by collagen, but not during PMA activation. It was concluded that the GPIIb/IIIa complex was intimately related to a part of the Ca2+ influx during the activation of platelets.     

Identification of two structurally and functionally distinct sites on human platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa using monoclonal antibodies

Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa exists as a calcium-dependent complex of two large peptides (designated IIb and IIIa) in Triton X-100 solutions, but it remains unknown if these peptides are subunits of one glycoprotein or are actually two individual glycoproteins in the intact platelet membrane. We used crossed immunoelectrophoresis to define the epitopes of two monoclonal antibodies to IIb-IIIa, then used these antibodies to study the structural and functional organization of IIb and IIIa in the platelet membrane. Human platelets solubilized in Triton X-100 were electrophoresed through an intermediate gel containing 125I-monoclonal IgG, then into an upper gel containing rabbit anti-human platelet antibodies. Our previously characterized antibody. Tab, and a new monoclonal antibody, T10, both bound to the immunoprecipitate corresponding to the IIb-IIIa complex. When platelets were electrophoresed after solubilization in 5 mM EDTA, 125I-Tab bound to the dissociated IIb polypeptide, but not to IIIa. In contrast, 125-I-T10 did not react with either IIb or IIIa. Thus, Tab recognizes a determinant on IIb, while T10 recognizes a determinant created only after the association of IIb and IIIa. Gel-filtered platelets from six normal donors bound 50,600 +/- 5,600 125I-T10 molecules/platelet and 47,800 +/- 11,200 125I-Tab molecules/platelet, consistent with IIb-IIIa being a heterodimer. 125I-T10 binding was identical in unactivated platelets and platelets stimulated with 10 microM ADP. However, platelets did not aggregate or bind 125I-fibrinogen until ADP was added. T10, but not Tab or nonimmune mouse antibody, inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and 125I-fibrinogen binding. Our findings suggest that IIb and IIIa exist as subunits of a single membrane glycoprotein in unstimulated platelets. Fibrinogen binding appears to require not only the interaction of IIb and IIIa, but also some additional change occurring after platelet activation.     

Ring constrained analogues of beta-alanine-containing GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists

A series of ring constrained analogues of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist XR299 (1) was investigated as potential inhibitors of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, a platelet receptor that plays a key role in platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion. Ring size was found to have a large effect on in vitro potency. Selected compounds showed good in vitro activity, a preference for binding to activated platelets, and modest duration of action when dosed i.v. as a racemate in a canine model.     

Binding of the snake venom-derived proteins applaggin and echistatin to the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid recognition site(s) on platelet glycoprotein IIb.IIIa complex inhibits receptor function

In the present report we describe the platelet-binding characteristics of applaggin and echistatin, potent inhibitors of fibrinogen-dependent platelet aggregation derived from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus and Echis carinatus snake venoms, respectively. Both molecules bound to unstimulated platelets in a specific and saturable manner. At saturation there were 37,100 +/- 3,150 (mean, +/- S.D.) molecules of applaggin and 27,200 +/- 2,816 molecules of echistatin bound/platelet, with dissociation constants (Kd) of 1.4 +/- 0.6 x 10(-7) M and 4.9 +/- 1.2 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Stimulation of platelets with ADP (10 microM) + epinephrine (2 microM) resulted in an increase in the number of molecules bound at saturation to 42,300 +/- 2,105 for applaggin and 32,185 +/- 3,180 for echistatin, with a Kd of 5.6 +/- 0.3 x 10(-8) M and 1.8 +/- 0.6 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The synthetic peptide (Arg)8-Gly-Asp-Val was a competitive antagonist of applaggin and echistatin binding to unstimulated platelets (Ki = 25 and 36 microM, respectively). Applaggin and echistatin inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to stimulated platelets in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 9 and 25 nM, respectively. In concert with inhibition of platelet aggregation, applaggin and echistatin inhibited platelet secretion and synthesis of thromboxane A2 induced by ADP, collagen, and human gamma-thrombin. The monclonal antibody, LJ-CP3, which inhibits the binding of Arg-Gly-Asp containing ligands to platelet GPIIb.IIIa, also inhibited applaggin binding to unstimulated platelets in a competitive manner (Ki = 4.5 microM). Thus, applaggin and echistatin bind to the platelet GPIIb.IIIa complex, and the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence plays a central role in mediating this interaction.     

Purification and characterization of a new RGD/KGD-containing dimeric disintegrin, piscivostatin, from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus: the unique effect of piscivostatin on platelet aggregation

Piscivostatin, a novel dimeric disintegrin containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Lys-Gly-Asp (KGD) sequences, was isolated from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus. The molecule consisted of two chains designated as the alpha and beta chains, comprising 65 and 68 amino acid residues, respectively. Piscivostatin had two binding motifs recognized by platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa), and the biological activity of dimeric disintegrin piscivostatin toward platelet aggregation differed from those of other monomeric disintegrins such as trimestatin and echistatin. We measured platelet aggregation by the laser light scattering method during the process of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Both dimeric and monomeric disintegrins inhibited the formation of small (9 to 25 microm in diameter), medium-sized and large aggregates (25 to 70 microm in diameter) in a dose-dependent manner. The platelet aggregates disaggregated after reaching a maximal number on either treatment with ADP alone or monomeric disintegrin/ADP. However, the small aggregates did not disaggregate on treatment with piscivostatin/ADP even when applied over time. When washed platelets were incubated with an anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody, PT25-2, which induces conformational changes of GPIIb/IIIa to a form accessible to fibrinogen and other adhesion proteins without platelet activation, piscivostatin induced a platelet shape change alone with no aggregate formation. The present study indicated that piscivostatin has two unique contradictory activities; acting as a double inhibitor of platelet aggregation and platelet aggregate dissociation.     

Changes in the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb.IIIa complex during platelet activation

Platelet activation is accompanied by the appearance on the platelet surface of approximately 45,000 receptor sites for fibrinogen. The binding of fibrinogen to these receptors is required for platelet aggregation. Although it is established that the fibrinogen receptor is localized to a heterodimer complex of the membrane glycoproteins, IIb and IIIa, little is known about the changes in this complex during platelet activation that result in the expression of the receptor. In the present studies, we have developed and characterized a murine monoclonal anti-platelet antibody, designated PAC-1, that binds to activated platelets, but not to unstimulated platelets. PAC-1 is a pentameric IgM that binds to agonist-stimulated platelets with an apparent Kd of 5 nM. Binding to platelets is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ (KCa = 0.4 microM) but is not dependent on platelet secretion. Platelets stimulated with ADP or epinephrine bind 10,000-15,000 125I-PAC-1 molecules/platelet while platelets stimulated with thrombin bind 20,000-25,000 molecules/platelet. Several lines of evidence indicate that PAC-1 is specific for the glycoprotein IIb.IIIa complex. First, PAC-1 binds specifically to the IIb.IIIa complex on Western blots. Second, PAC-1 does not bind to thrombasthenic platelets or to platelets preincubated with ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid at 37 degrees C, both of which lack the intact IIb.IIIa complex. Third, PAC-1 competitively inhibits the binding of 125I-A2A9, and IgG monoclonal antibody that is specific for the IIb.IIIa complex. Fourth, the antibody inhibits fibrinogen-mediated platelet aggregation. These data demonstrate that PAC-1 recognizes an epitope on the IIb.IIIa complex that is located near the platelet fibrinogen receptor. Platelet activation appears to cause a Ca2+-dependent change involving the glycoprotein IIb.IIIa complex that exposes the fibrinogen receptor and, at the same time, the epitope for PAC-1.     

Structure of the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb. Homology to the alpha subunits of the vitronectin and fibronectin membrane receptors

The platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb X IIIa heterodimer complex (GPIIb X IIIa) is the platelet receptor for adhesive proteins, containing binding sites for fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and fibronectin on activated platelets. GPIIb X IIIa also appears to be a member of a family of membrane adhesive protein receptors that plays a major role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. GPIb is the larger component of this platelet receptor and is composed of two disulfide-linked subunits. In this report we describe the analysis of cDNA clones for human GPIIb that were isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library prepared using RNA from HEL cells. A total of 3.3 kilobases of cDNA was sequence, revealing a continuous open reading frame encoding both GPIIb subunits. The cDNA encodes 1039 amino acids: 137 constituting the smaller subunit, 871 constituting the larger subunit, and 30 constituting an NH2-terminal signal peptide. No homology was found between the larger and smaller subunits. The smaller subunit contains a 26-residue hydrophobic sequence near its COOH terminus that represents a potential transmembrane domain. Four stretches of 12 amino acids present in the larger subunit are homologous to the calcium binding sites of calmodulin and troponin C. Northern blot analysis using HEL cell RNA indicated that the mature mRNA coding for GPIIb is 4.1 kilobases in size. A comparison of the GPIIb coding region with available cDNA sequences of the alpha-chains of the vitronectin and fibronectin receptors revealed 41% DNA homology and 74% and 63% amino acid homology, respectively. Our data establish the amino acid sequence for the human platelet glycoprotein IIb and provide additional evidence for the existence of a family of cellular adhesion protein receptors.     

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of potent GPIIb/IIIa antagonists: discovery of FK419

The discovery of the non-peptide antiplatelet injectable agent FK419 is reported. Based on the beta-turn structure of RGD peptide sequences in the alpha chain of fibrinogen, which binds the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) on the surface of platelets to induce platelet aggregation, the prototype 2 was designed. After further substituent effects were investigated at the alpha-position of the carboxylic acid in 2, we enhanced platelet aggregation inhibition, and discovered the useful feature of reduced prolongation of bleeding time. Finally, the potent platelet aggregation inhibitor FK419 (3) could be discovered. FK419 shows a safe feature of reduced prolongation of bleeding time, as well as potent inhibition of platelet aggregation.     

A peptide corresponding to GPIIb alpha 300-312, a presumptive fibrinogen gamma-chain binding site on the platelet integrin GPIIb/IIIa, inhibits the adhesion of platelets to at least four adhesive ligands.

The platelet fibrinogen (Fg) receptor (GPIIb/IIIa) is an integrin which plays a critical role in hemostasis by recognizing at least the four adhesive ligands: Fg, fibronectin (Fn), vitronectin (Vn), and von Willebrand factor (vWf). We reported that residues 309-312 of GPIIb alpha appear to comprise at least part of a Fg binding site on the Fg receptor (Gartner, T. K., and Taylor, D. B. (1990) Thromb. Res. 60, 291-309). Here we report that the peptide GPIIb alpha 300-312 (G13) inhibits platelet aggregation and binds Fg and Vn. Significantly, this peptide inhibits the adhesion of stimulated platelets to Fg, Fn, Vn, and vWf, but not the adhesion of resting platelets to Fn. Thus, GPIIb 300-312 may constitute a specific but common recognition site on GPIIb/IIIa for both LGGAKQAGDV- and RGD-containing ligands.     

Characterization of the Fc gamma receptor on human platelets

IgG-containing immune complexes may play a role in the immune destruction of human platelets by interacting with an Fc gamma receptor on the platelet surface. We studied the platelet Fc gamma receptor and characterized its interaction with IgG ligand and anti-Fc gamma receptor monoclonal antibodies. Oligomers of IgG, but not monomeric IgG, bound to platelets and the number of binding sites was significantly increased at low ionic strength. Ligand-binding studies indicated that normal human platelets express a single Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma RII) with 8559 +/- 852 sites per cell, Kd = 12.5 +/- 1.7 X 10(-8) M using trimeric IgG. Results of studies with bivalent and Fab monoclonal anti-Fc gamma RII were consistent with each Fc gamma receptor expressing two epitopes recognized by the antibody. The number of Fc gamma binding sites and affinity of binding were unchanged by the presence of 2.0 mM Mg2+ or 10 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B. Platelet stimulation with thrombin or ADP in the presence of fibrinogen also did not alter the number of Fc gamma binding sites or the affinity of binding. However, platelets preincubated with 5 microM dexamethasone expressed a decreased number of Fc gamma binding sites as well as decreased IgG-dependent platelet aggregation. Platelets from patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and from patients with the Bernard Soulier syndrome expressed a normal number and affinity of Fc gamma binding sites. The data suggest that platelet Fc gamma RII binding of trimeric IgG occurs independent of actin filament interaction, Mg2+, ADP, or thrombin and does not require GPIIb/IIIa or GPIIb/IIIa-fibrinogen interaction. Furthermore, this receptor appears to be normally expressed on GPIb-deficient platelets and susceptible to modulation by glucocorticoids. Finally, the Fc gamma-binding protein was isolated from whole platelets as a 220-kDa protein which upon reduction dissociates into 50,000 Mr subunits.     

A large-scale procedure for the isolation of integrin GPIIb/IIIa, the human platelet fibrinogen receptor

The heterodimer GPIIb/IIIa, formed by the Ca(2+)-dependent association of glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa), is the major integrin at the platelet surface, where it serves as the receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins and plays a central role in platelet aggregation and in platelet adhesion to the subendothelium. Here we describe a procedure for the isolation of GPIIb/IIIa using as starting material either the whole particulate fraction, obtained by differential centrifugation after hypoosmotic lysis of glycerol-loaded platelets, or any of the fractions obtained by density gradient centrifugation of the whole particulate fraction. The procedure consists simply of differential extraction with Triton X-100 of the starting particulate fraction, anion-exchange chromatography of the 4% Triton X-100 supernatant, and size-exclusion chromatography of the GPIIb/IIIa-rich fraction retained in the ion-exchange column. The use of particulate fractions instead of whole platelets as the starting material for extraction together with differential extraction with Triton X-100 (two steps that are simple and inexpensive to perform) results in the early removal of many unwanted proteins, which otherwise would have to be removed at later stages at the expense of severely impairing the final yield of GPIIb/IIIa. Pure GPIIb/IIIa is obtained with a yield of about 48%, the highest so far reported, calculated with respect to the GPIIb and GPIIIa content in the starting particulate fraction. The final product can be stored in freeze-dried form without apparent changes in its physical and chemical properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chitosan enhances platelet adhesion and aggregation

In this study, chitosan (MW=50,000) was tested for its enhancing platelet activity in rabbit platelet suspensions and the possible mechanisms involved were further investigated. Our results showed that after initial (5 min) and long-term (30 min) contact of platelets with chitosan, the platelet adhesion to chitosan-coated microtiter plates was dose-dependently increased compared to that of solvent control. Similarly, chitosan also dose-dependently increased the platelet aggregation and the intracellular free Ca(2+) rise of Fura-2-AM loaded platelets. Additionally, in the presence of FITC-labeled anti-CD41/CD61, chitosan significantly enhanced the expression of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex assayed by a flow cytometer. It is concluded that chitosan is an effective inducer for platelet adhesion and aggregation and the mechanisms of action of chitosan may be associated, at least partly, with the increasing [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization and enhancing expression of GPIIb/IIIa complex on platelet membrane surfaces.     

Interaction of AP-2, a monoclonal antibody specific for the human platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex, with intact platelets

A murine monoclonal antibody, designated AP-2, reacts specifically with the complex formed by human platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa, but does not react at all with the individual glycoproteins. Purified AP-2 covalently coupled to Sepharose CL4B was used as an immunoadsorbent column to purify the IIb-IIIa complex from a preparation of Triton X-100-solubilized human platelet proteins. Radioiodinated AP-2 was shown to bind to a single class of sites, with 57,400 +/- 9,700 molecules bound per cell (mean +/- S.D.) at saturation and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.64 +/- 0.15 nM (mean +/- S.D.). Binding could not be readily reversed even after a 1-h incubation with a 100-fold excess of cold antibody. AP-2 inhibits ADP-induced binding of radiolabeled fibrinogen to gel-filtered platelets in a noncompetitive fashion, consistent with the previous observation that AP-2 also inhibits the aggregation of platelets in plasma induced by a number of physiologic agonists, including adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, collagen, thrombin, and arachidonic acid. Using AP-2, we have obtained evidence that the IIb-IIIa complex exists in the membrane of intact nonstimulated platelets and that complex integrity is not affected by external calcium ion concentration.     

Inhibition of human tumor cell induced platelet aggregation by antibodies to platelet glycoproteins Ib and IIb/IIIa

Tumor cell induced platelet aggregation was shown to be inhibited in a dose dependent manner by preincubation of human platelets with antibodies to platelet glycoprotein Ib and the IIb/IIIa complex. Combination of antibody to Ib and antibody to the IIb/IIIa complex at concentrations which produced half maximal inhibition of platelet aggregation alone caused complete inhibition of tumor cell induced platelet aggregation. Antibodies to platelet glycoproteins Ib and the IIb/IIIa complex also inhibited platelet synthesis of thromboxane A2, but not synthesis of 12-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid. Inhibition of tumor cell induced platelet aggregation with antibodies against platelet glycoproteins suggests a role for these glycoproteins in tumor cell-platelet interactions and possibly platelet facilitated tumor cell metastasis.     

Immunocytochemical evidence for the translocation of alpha-granule membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta 3) of human platelets to the surface membrane during the release reaction.

The localization of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta 3) in both resting and thrombin-activated platelets was studied immunocytochemically. By the preembedding method where only the GP IIb/IIIa molecules on the surface of platelets were immunostained, the distribution of protein A-colloidal gold label was randomly distributed along the surface membrane of resting platelets at a density of 18.0 +/- 2.7 gold particles/microns of membrane. At 15 s after stimulation by 0.1 U/ml of thrombin in an unstirred platelet suspension, the spheroid-shaped platelets with pseudopodia still had normal numbers of alpha-granules, and the density of gold particles was 19.7 +/- 3.6 particles/microns. At 5 min, the alpha-granules were no longer present because of the release reaction, and the density of gold particles significantly increased (27.0 +/- 3.7 particles/microns; p less than 0.01). In immuno-stained ultra-thin frozen sections, the gold particles were detected not only on the surface membrane, including the open canalicular system (OCS), but also on the alpha-granule membranes of resting platelets. At 30 s after thrombin stimulation the alpha-granules fused with the OCS, resulting in the formation of a swollen OCS, which still had gold particles on its membrane. At 5 min, the gold particles were detected on the membrane of the swollen OCS located near the surface membrane, while very few gold particles were present on the membrane of the OCS in the central part of the platelets. These results demonstrate that alpha-granule membrane GPIIb/IIIa translocates to the surface membrane through the membrane of the OCS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Internalization of Tissue Factor‐Rich Microvesicles by Platelets Occurs Independently of GPIIb‐IIIa,and Involves CD36 Receptor,Serotonin Transporter and Cytoskeletal Assembly

Platelets are important in hemostasis, but also detect particles and pathogens in the circulation. Phagocytic and endocytic activities of platelets are widely recognized; however, receptors and mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that platelets internalize and store phospholipid microvesicles enriched in human tissue factor (TF+MVs) and that platelet‐associated TF enhances thrombus formation at sites of vascular damage. Here, we investigate the mechanisms implied in the interactions of TF+MVs with platelets and the effects of specific inhibitory strategies. Aggregometry and electron microscopy were used to assess platelet activation and TF+MVs uptake. Cytoskeletal assembly and activation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and RhoA were analyzed by western blot and ELISA. Exposure of platelets to TF+MVs caused reversible platelet aggregation, actin polymerization and association of contractile proteins to the cytoskeleton being maximal at 1 min. The same kinetics were observed for activation of PI3K and translocation of RhoA to the cytoskeleton. Inhibitory strategies to block glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa (GPIIb‐IIIa), scavenger receptor CD36, serotonin transporter (SERT) and PI3K, fully prevented platelet aggregation by TF+MVs. Ultrastructural techniques revealed that uptake of TF+MVs was efficiently prevented by anti‐CD36 and SERT inhibitor, but only moderately interfered by GPIIb‐IIIa blockade. We conclude that internalization of TF+MVs by platelets occurs independently of receptors related to their main hemostatic function (GPIIb‐IIIa), involves the scavenger receptor CD36, SERT and engages PI3‐Kinase activation and cytoskeletal assembly. CD36 and SERT appear as potential therapeutic targets to interfere with the association of TF+MVs with platelets and possibly downregulate their prothrombotic phenotype. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 448–457, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Localization of the cross-linking sites of RGD and KQAGDV peptides to the isolated fibrinogen receptor, the human platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Influence of peptide length.

The non-covalent and Ca(2+)-dependent heterodimer GPIIb/IIIa, formed by platelet glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa), also known as the integrin alpha IIb beta 3, is the inducible receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins on the surface of activated platelets. A fraction of the isolated GPIIb/IIIa in solution binds RGD or KQAGDV inhibitory peptides and, upon peptide removal, apparently acquires the capacity to bind fibrinogen ('activated' GPIIb/IIIa) [Du, X., Plow, E. F., Frelinger, A. L., III, O'Toole, T. E., Loftus, J. C. & Ginsberg, M. H. (1991) Cell 65, 409-416]. Photoaffinity labelling was used here to study the ligand binding site(s) of GPIIb/IIIa in solution, for which the peptides CKRKRKRKRRGDV (alpha 1), CGRGDF (alpha 2), CYHHLGGAKQAGDV (gamma 1) and CGAKQAGDV (gamma 2) were synthesized with a photoactivable cross-linker group and a fluorescent reporter group attached to the N-terminal cysteine residue. Contrary to the situation in activated platelets, both GPIIb and GPIIIa were equally labelled by the four peptides and the cross-linking sites were localized by protein chemical analyses of the fluorescently labelled tryptic peptides of both subunits. Thus, the localization of the cross-linking sites in GPIIb varies considerably with the peptide length and is very different from that localization observed in activated platelets: alpha 2 and gamma 2 were found cross-linked to the N-terminal of both the heavy (GPIIbH 42-73) and the light (GPIIbL2 30-75) chains of GPIIb; while the longer peptides alpha 1 and gamma 1 were cross-linked to the C-terminal of GPIIbH within the 696-724 and 752-768 peptide stretches, respectively. On the other hand, the cross-linking sites of the four inhibitory peptides in GPIIIa were found mainly within the proteolysis susceptible region, between the N-terminal (GPIIIa 1-52) and the core (GPIIb 423-622) highly disulphide-bonded domains, observing that the longer the peptide the closer the cross-linking site is to the N-terminal of GPIIIa: alpha 1 at GPIIIa 63-87 and 303-350; gamma 1 at GPIIIa 9-37; alpha 2 at GPIIIa 151-191; and gamma 2 at GPIIIa 303-350. These results led us to the following conclusions. (a) The GPIIIa 100-400 region contributes to the ligand-binding domain in GPIIb/IIIa both in solution and in activated platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Coordinated signaling through both G12/13 and G(i) pathways is sufficient to activate GPIIb/IIIa in human platelets

Activation of GPIIb/IIIa is known to require agonist-induced inside-out signaling through G(q), G(i), and G(z). Although activated by several platelet agonists, including thrombin and thromboxane A(2), the contribution of the G(12/13) signaling pathway to GPIIb/IIIa activation has not been investigated. In this study, we used selective stimulation of G protein pathways to investigate the contribution of G(12/13) activation to platelet fibrinogen receptor activation. YFLLRNP is a PAR-1-specific partial agonist that, at low concentrations (60 microm), selectively activates the G(12/13) signaling cascade resulting in platelet shape change without stimulating the G(q) or G(i) signaling pathways. YFLLRNP-mediated shape change was completely inhibited by the p160(ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632. At this low concentration, YFLLRNP-mediated G(12/13) signaling caused platelet aggregation and enhanced PAC-1 binding when combined with selective G(i) or G(z) signaling, via selective stimulation of the P2Y(12) receptor or alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor, respectively. Similar data were obtained when using low dose (10 nm), a thromboxane A(2) mimetic, to activate G(12/13) in the presence of G(i) signaling. These results suggest that selective activation of G(12/13) causes platelet GPIIb/IIIa activation when combined with G(i) signaling. Unlike either G(12/13) or G(i) activation alone, co-activation of both G(12/13) and G(i) resulted in a small increase in intracellular calcium. Chelation of intracellular calcium with dimethyl BAPTA dramatically blocked G(12/13) and G(i)-mediated platelet aggregation. No significant effect on aggregation was seen when using selective inhibitors for p160(ROCK), PKC, or MEKK1. PI 3-kinase inhibition lead to near abolishment of platelet aggregation induced by co-stimulation of G(q) and G(i) pathways, but not by G(12/13) and G(i) pathways. These data demonstrate that co-stimulation of G(12/13) and G(i) pathways is sufficient to activate GPIIb/IIIa in human platelets in a mechanism that involves intracellular calcium, and that PI 3-kinase is an important signaling molecule downstream of G(q) but not downstream of G(12/13) pathway.     

Triflavin, an antiplatelet Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide, is a specific antagonist of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex

Triflavin, an antiplatelet peptide containing Arg-Gly-Asp, purified from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom, inhibits aggregation of human platelets stimulated by a variety of agonists. It blocks aggregation through interference with fibrinogen binding to its specific receptor on the platelet surface membrane in a competitive manner, but it has no apparent effect on intracellular events, such as thromboxane B2 formation, phosphoinositides breakdown and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization of thrombin-activated platelets. In this study, we determined the complete sequence of triflavin, which is composed of a single polypeptide chain of 70 amino acids. Its sequence is rich in cysteine and contains Arg-Gly-Asp at residues 49-51 in the carboxy-terminal domain. Triflavin shows about 68% identity of amino acid sequence with trigramin, which is a specific antagonist of the fibrinogen receptor associated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. [125I]Triflavin binds to unstimulated and ADP-stimulated platelets in a saturable manner and its Kd values are estimated to be 76 and 74 nM, respectively; the corresponding numbers of binding sites are 31,029 and 34,863 per platelet, respectively. [125I]Triflavin binding is blocked by Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in a competitive manner. EDTA, the Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides (including naturally occurring polypeptides, trigramin and rhodostomin), and monoclonal antibody, 7E3, raised against GP IIb/IIIa complex, inhibit [125I]triflavin binding to unstimulated and ADP-stimulated human platelets. In conclusion, triflavin specifically binds to fibrinogen receptor associated with GP IIb/IIIa complex and its binding site is located at or near GP IIb/IIIa complex, overlapping with those of 7E3 and another Arg-Gly-Asp-containing polypeptide, rhodostomin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)