Phosphatidic and lysophosphatidic acid production in phospholipase C-and thrombin-treated platelets. Possible involvement of a platelet lipase.

Incubation of 32P-labelled platelets with Clostridium welchii phospholipase C greatly stimulates 32P-incorporation into phosphatidic and lysophosphatidic acids. A net synthesis is demonstrated for both phospholipids, which exhibit identical specific radioactivities. Phosphatidic acid production roughly parallels the phospholipase C-induced aggregation, whereas lysophosphatidic acid appears secondarily during cell lysis. The same qualitative variations are observed during thrombin-induced aggregation. At the physiological pH used throughout the incubations, platelets display no phospholipase A activity towards phosphatidic acid, whereas diglycerides are deacylated by platelet lysates. On the basis of these findings, a mechanism for phosphatidic and lysophosphatidic acid production is proposed, involving a phosphorylation of the di- and monoglycerides formed upon phospholipase C and lipase action. The possible role of such a pathway in regulating arachidonic acid release from phospholipids during platelet activation is discussed.     

Differential effects of spermine on aggregation, inositol phosphate formation and protein phosphorylation in human platelets in response to thrombin, arachidonic acid and lysophosphatidic acid

Platelet aggregation stimulated by thrombin, arachidonic acid or lysophosphatidic acid is associated with rapid phosphorylation of two platelet proteins, myosin light chain and a 47 kDa protein. The polyamine, spermine, inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by all three agents. Spermine inhibited thrombin-stimulated phosphorylation of myosin light chain and the 47 kDa proteins as well as thrombin-induced production of the inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid. In contrast, spermine did not inhibit phosphorylation of either protein or the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid in response to arachidonic acid or lysophosphatidic acid. Although spermine has been demonstrated to inhibit both phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and calcium-dependent protein kinases in cell free systems, these results suggest that, in the intact platelet, spermine does not directly inhibit these enzymes. Inhibition of aggregation stimulated by arachidonic acid and lysophosphatidic acid is secondary to interference with platelet-platelet interaction but not with platelet activation. In contrast, spermine inhibits thrombin-induced platelet activation. This thrombin-specific inhibition may be related to interference with the binding of thrombin to its receptor or to its catalytic substrate on the cell surface.     

Mobilization of arachidonic acid in thrombin-stimulated human platelets

In the present work we investigated the effect of serine esterase inhibitors such as 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC) and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), as well as the effect of mepacrine on thrombin-induced mobilization of arachidonic acid (AA) in human platelets. The inhibitor NCDC (0.6 mM) completely abolished the thrombin-induced activation of phospholipase C, phospholipase A2, and transacylase enzymes, whereas the pretreatment of platelets with PMSF (2 mM) resulted in a highly selective inhibition of phospholipase A2 and transacylase activities, with no marked effect on thrombin-induced activation of phospholipase C. The thrombin-induced release of [3H]AA from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol was reduced by 90 and 56%, respectively, in the presence of PMSF. This inhibitor also caused a parallel inhibition in the accumulation of [3H]AA (85%) with little effect on thrombin-induced formation of [3H]phosphatidic acid (5%), whereas mepacrine (0.4 mM) caused a selective inhibition of phospholipase A2 and transacylase activities with concomitant stimulation of [3H]phosphatidic acid formation in intact human platelets. These results demonstrate that NCDC and PMSF (serine esterase inhibitors) do not affect agonist-induced activation of phospholipases that mobilize arachidonic acid through a common site. Our results further demonstrate that the inhibition of [3H]AA release observed in the presence of NCDC, PMSF, and mepacrine is primarily due to their direct effects on enzyme activities, rather than due to their indirect effects through formation of complexes between inhibitors and membrane phospholipids. Based upon these results, we also conclude that the combined hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol by phospholipase A2 serves as a major source for eicosanoid biosynthesis in thrombin-stimulated human platelets.     

Lysophosphatidic acid potentiates the thrombin-induced production of arachidonate metabolites in platelets

Concentrations (1 to 20 microM) of 1-oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid which alone do not affect platelet metabolism of arachidonic acid, do augment the effects of suboptimal concentrations of thrombin on the formation of [14C]phosphatidic acid and the production of [14C]arachidonate metabolites from platelets prelabeled with [14C]arachidonate. The effect on [14C]phosphatidate occurs with concentrations of thrombin (0.1 unit/ml) which are lower than those (0.2 unit/ml) needed to observe the effects on [14C]arachidonate metabolites. The effect of 1-oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid (10 microM) plus thrombin (0.2 unit/ml) on the formation of phosphatidic acid temporally precedes the production of arachidonate metabolites consistent with a sequential activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 activities. Preincubation of platelets with (32P)orthophosphate shows that the phosphatidic acid formed by 1-oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid (10 microM) plus thrombin (0.2 unit/ml) is derived from phosphatidylinositol. The Ca2+-ionophoretic properties of lysophosphatidic acid might explain the accumulation of phosphatidic acid since Ca2+ prevents the conversion of phosphatidic acid to phosphatidylinositol. That effect of lysophosphatidic acid is inhibited by prostacyclin, possibly through a cyclic-AMP-mediated effect on calcium homeostasis.     

Potential involvement of vicinal sulfhydryls in stimulus-induced rabbit platelet activation

The potential involvement of vicinal dithiols in the expression of platelet-activating factor (AGEPC)- and A23187-induced alterations in rabbit platelets was explored through the use of phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO) and certain analogous derivatives. PhAsO (As3+) but not phenylarsonic acid (As5+) inhibited markedly at 1 microM concentration the release of arachidonic acid initiated by AGEPC and the ionophore A23187. In contrast, AGEPC-induced phosphatidic acid formation, phosphorylation of 40- and 20-kDa proteins, and Ca2+ uptake from external medium were not inhibited substantially by 1 microM PhAsO. However, these latter metabolic responses to AGEPC were inhibited by PhAsO at higher doses (10 microM). AGEPC- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion also were prevented by PhAsO. The IC50 value of PhAsO was 2.7 +/- 1.2 microM toward AGEPC (5 X 10(-10) M)-induced serotonin release. Further, ATP and cAMP levels in PhAsO-treated platelets were not changed from controls. Interestingly, addition of Ca2+ to platelet sonicates (prepared in EDTA) caused diacylglycerol production and free arachidonic acid formation, even in the presence of 133 microM PhAsO. This would suggest that in the intact platelets PhAsO acted indirectly on phospholipase A2 and/or phospholipase C activities. Finally, a dithiol compound, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, reversed the inhibition of platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid release effected by PhAsO. On the other hand, a monothiol compound, 2-mercaptoethanol, was not effective in preventing or in reversing the action of PhAsO. These observations suggest that vicinal sulfhydryl residues may be involved in stimulus-induced platelet activation.     

Decanoyl lysophosphatidic acid induces platelet aggregation through an extracellular action. Evidence against a second messenger role for lysophosphatidic acid.

Platelets rapidly convert 1,2-didecanoyl-sn-glycerol into its corresponding phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid derivatives, thereby providing a means of introducing these two compounds into platelets. 1-Decanoyl-2-lyso-3-sn-phosphatidic acid, when added directly to platelets, induced platelet aggregation and raised intracellular Ca2+ levels at concentrations of 0.3 microM upwards, but was without effect when formed intracellularly from 1,2-didecanoylglycerol at an estimated concentration of approx. 47 microM. This indicates that the site of platelet activation by lysophosphatidic acid is extracellular. A concentration of thrombin (0.2 unit/ml), which produced maximal platelet aggregation, caused an estimated intracellular formation of 20 microM-lysophosphatidic acid in the presence of 2 mM-Ca2+; however, there was no detectable release of lysophosphatidic acid into the bathing medium. Lysophosphatidic acid, therefore, may not be an intracellular second messenger involved in platelet aggregation by thrombin.     

Lysophosphatidic acid can activate platelets without increasing 32P-labelling of phosphatidic acid

Stimulation of platelets by thrombin produced a rise in [32P]phosphatidic acid labelling of platelets which was greater in medium without added calcium than in medium with 2.5 mM calcium. A rise in [32P]lysophosphatidic acid was also seen in platelets stimulated by thrombin in the presence of 2.5 mM extracellular calcium, though it was of lesser magnitude (average 35%) than the rise in phosphatidic acid. In platelets resuspended without added calcium no change in [32P]lysophosphatidic acid was seen in response to thrombin. Lysophosphatidic acid can itself induce platelet aggregation. Similarly to the calcium ionophore A23187, lysophosphatidic acid produced minimal change (in medium with no added calcium) to no change (in medium with 2.5 mM external calcium) in [32P]lysophosphatidic acid. The endoperoxide analog U46619 produced changes in 32P-labelling of platelet phosphatidic and lysophosphatidic acid similar to those produced by thrombin but of lesser magnitude. The results of these studies show that the action of lysophosphatidic acid on platelets differs from the action of thrombin, U46619 and platelet-activating factor, which produce a rapid rise in [32P]phosphatidic acid, and suggests that lysophosphatidic acid, like A23187, largely bypasses the initial receptor-coupled breakdown of phosphoinositides leading to formation of diacylglycerols and phosphatidic acid.     

Ethanol interferes with collagen-induced platelet activation by inhibition of arachidonic acid mobilization

The effect of ethanol on signal generation in collagen-stimulated human platelets was evaluated. Incubation of washed human platelets with physiologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (25-150 mM) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of aggregation and secretion in response to collagen (0.5-10 micrograms/ml), but did not inhibit shape change. In platelets labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, ethanol significantly inhibited the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids, in both the presence and the absence of indomethacin. Thromboxane B2 formation was also inhibited in proportion to the reduction in free arachidonic acid. There was a close correlation between the extent of inhibition of arachidonic acid release and secretion. The inhibition of platelet aggregation and secretion by ethanol was partially overcome by the addition of exogenous arachidonic acid. In the presence of indomethacin, ethanol had no effect on the activation of phospholipase C by collagen as determined by the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid. Moreover, ethanol had no effect on the mobilization of intracellular calcium by collagen and only minimally inhibited the early phases of the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (20 kDa) and a 47-kDa protein, a known substrate for protein kinase C. Arachidonic acid formation was also inhibited by ethanol in response to ionomycin under conditions where phospholipase C activation was prevented. The results suggest that the functional effects of ethanol on collagen-stimulated platelets are due, at least in part, to an inhibition of phospholipase A2.     

Biphasic effect on platelet aggregation by phospholipase a purified from Vipera russellii snake venom

A basic phospholipase A was isolated from Vipera russellii snake venom. It induced a biphasic effect on washed rabbit platelets suspended in Tyrode's solution. The first phase was a reversible aggregation which was dependent on stirring and extracellular calcium. The second phase was an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation, occurring 5 min after the addition of the venom phospholipase A without stirring or after a recovery from the reversible aggregation. The aggregating phase could be inhibited by indomethacin, tetracaine, papaverine, creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase, mepacrine, verapamil, sodium nitroprusside, prostaglandin E1 or bovine serum albumin. The venom phospholipase A released free fatty acids from synthetic phosphatidylcholine and intact platelets. p-Bromophenacyl bromide-modified venom phospholipase A lost its phospholipase A enzymatic and platelet-aggregating activities, but protected platelets from the aggregation induced by the native enzyme. The second phase of the venom phospholipase A action showed a different degree of inhibition on platelet aggregation induced by some activators in following order: arachidonic acid greater than collagen greater than thrombin greater than ionophore A23187. The longer the incubation time or the higher the concentration of the venom phospholipase A, the more pronounced was the inhibitory effect. The venom phospholipase A did not affect the thrombin-induced release reaction which was caused by intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in the presence of EDTA, but inhibited collagen-induced release reaction which was caused by Ca2+ influx from extracellular medium. The inhibitory effect of the venom phospholipase A and also lysophosphatidylcholine or arachidonic acid could be antagonized or reversed by bovine serum albumin. It was concluded that the first stimulatory phase of the venom phospholipase A action might be due to arachidonate liberation from platelet membrane. The second phase of inhibition of platelet aggregation and the release of ATP might be due to the inhibitory action of the split products produced by this venom phospholipase A.     

Ethanol inhibits thrombin-induced secretion by human platelets at a site distinct from phospholipase C or protein kinase C.

Ethanol is known to inhibit the activation of platelets in response to several physiological agonists, but the mechanism of this action is unclear. The addition of physiologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (25-150 mM) to suspensions of washed human platelets resulted in the inhibition of thrombin-induced secretion of 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine. Indomethacin was included in the incubation buffer to prevent feedback amplification by arachidonic acid metabolites. Ethanol had no effect on the activation of phospholipase C by thrombin, as determined by the formation of inositol phosphates and the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Moreover, ethanol did not interfere with the thrombin-induced formation of diacylglycerol or phosphatidic acid. Stimulation of platelets with phorbol ester (5-50 nM) resulted in 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine release comparable with those with threshold doses of thrombin. However, ethanol did not inhibit phorbol-ester-induced secretion. Ethanol also did not interfere with thrombin- or phorbol-ester-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain (20 kDa) or a 47 kDa protein, a known substrate for protein kinase C. By electron microscopy, ethanol had no effect on thrombin-induced shape change and pseudopod formation, but prevented granule centralization and fusion. The results indicate that ethanol does not inhibit platelet secretion by interfering with the activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C or protein kinase C by thrombin. Rather, the data demonstrate an inhibition of a Ca2(+)-mediated event such as granule centralization.     

Neomycin inhibits platelet functions and inositol phospholipid metabolism upon stimulation with thrombin, but not with ionomycin or 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate

Gel-filtered human platelets that had been pre-labelled with [32P]Pi were stimulated with thrombin, ionomycin or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The effect of the hexacationic aminoglycoside antibiotic, neomycin, on platelet physiological responses, such as aggregation and secretion, as well as changes in phosphoinositide metabolism was studied. Neomycin strongly inhibited thrombin-induced aggregation and secretion whereas the antibiotic had no effect on ionomycin- or TPA-induced platelet functions. The thrombin-induced enhancement of inositol phospholipid metabolism was strongly inhibited by the presence of neomycin whereas the TPA- or ionomycin-induced increase in inositol [32P]polyphospholipids remained unaffected. The inhibitory effect of some other aminoglycoside antibiotics was compared to that of neomycin and the data demonstrate that the inhibition of platelet secretion and phosphatidic acid production was dependent on the cationic charge of the antibiotic. It is suggested that neomycin inhibits signal transduction in platelets at a level prior to the inositol-phospholipid-specific phosphodiesterase.     

Neomycin inhibits agonist-stimulated polyphosphoinositide metabolism and responses in human platelets

The effect of neomycin on agonist-induced changes in polyphosphoinositide metabolism was studied in human platelets. Neomycin induced no changes in the 32P-labeled phospholipids of unstimulated cells. Between 1 and 5 mM of neomycin the initial thrombin-induced decrease in [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate and production of [32P]phosphatidic acid were gradually inhibited. In contrast, the production of [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate was increased. The thrombin-induced decrease in mass of phosphatidylinositol was completely inhibited at 5 mM of neomycin. Collagen- and PAF acether-induced changes in platelet phosphoinositide metabolism as well as aggregation and dense granule secretion induced by all three agonists were inhibited by neomycin. The results indicate that neomycin inhibit platelet responses by selective interference with the interconversions and hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides upon thrombin stimulation.     

Synergism between thrombin and adrenaline (epinephrine) in human platelets. Marked potentiation of inositol phospholipid metabolism.

We have studied synergism between adrenaline (epinephrine) and low concentrations of thrombin in gel-filtered human platelets prelabelled with [32P]Pi. Suspensions of platelets, which did not contain added fibrinogen, were incubated at 37 degrees C to measure changes in the levels of 32P-labelled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidate (PA), aggregation and dense-granule secretion after stimulation. Adrenaline alone (3.5-4.0 microM) did not cause a change in any parameter (phosphoinositide metabolism, aggregation and dense-granule secretion), but markedly enhanced the thrombin-induced responses over a narrow range of thrombin concentrations (0.03-0.08 units/ml). The thrombin-induced hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids by phospholipase C, which was measured as the formation of [32P]PA, was potentiated by adrenaline, as was the increase in the levels of [32P]PIP2 and [32P]PIP. The presence of adrenaline caused a shift to the left for the thrombin-induced changes in the phosphoinositide metabolism, without affecting the maximal levels of 32P-labelled compounds obtained. A similar shift by adrenaline in the dose-response relationship was previously demonstrated for thrombin-induced aggregation and dense-granule secretion. Also, the narrow range of concentrations of thrombin over which adrenaline potentiates thrombin-induced platelet responses is the same for changes in phosphoinositide metabolism and physiological responses (aggregation and dense-granule secretion). Our observations clearly indicate that adrenaline directly or indirectly influences thrombin-induced changes in phosphoinositide metabolism.     

The role of phospholipase C in platelet responses

Degradation of inositides induced by phospholipase C in activated platelets leads to the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DG) and its phosphorylated product, phosphatidic acid (PA). We have studied the relationship between activation of phospholipase C and the appearance of specific platelet responses, such as phosphorylation of proteins, shape change, release reaction and aggregation induced by different stimuli such as thrombin, platelet-activating factor, collagen, arachidonic acid (AA) and dihomogamma linolenic acid. A low degree of platelet activation induces only shape change which is associated with partial activation of phospholipase C (formation of phosphatidic acid), and phosphorylation of both a 40K molecular weight protein (protein kinase C activation) and a 20K molecular weight protein (myosin light chain). A higher degree of platelet activation induces aggregation, release of serotonin and a higher level of phospholipase C and protein kinase C activities. Metabolism of AA occurs concomitantly to aggregation and serotonin release, but AA metabolites are not related to the shape change of human platelets. Platelet shape change and the initial activation of phospholipase C induced by thrombin or platelet-activating factor is independent of the metabolites derived from cyclo-oxygenase activity. Further activation of phospholipase C which occurs during platelet aggregation and release reaction is, however, partly dependent on cyclo-oxygenase metabolites.     

Influence of adrenoceptors on thrombin-induced phosphoinositide metabolism in rat platelets

Stimulation of washed rat platelets with thrombin resulted in an increased turnover of phosphoinositides. Adrenaline and isoproterenol both inhibited thrombin-induced phosphatidic acid formation in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitory responses of both compounds were blocked by a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. However, isoproterenol was a more potent inhibitor than adrenaline. Addition of a selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist potentiated the inhibitory effect of adrenaline up to the level observed with isoproterenol. Prestimulation of beta-adrenoceptors with isoproterenol, followed by addition of adrenaline (or noradrenaline) markedly diminished the inhibitory effect induced by the full beta-adrenoceptor agonist. Our results indicate that, in rat platelets, catecholamines are able to counteract, via alpha2-receptors, the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of thrombin-induced phosphatidic acid formation. This suggests that catecholamines, by controlling cAMP level, may modulate phospholipase C activity and thereby platelet reactivity.     

Regulation of the phosphoinositide hydrolysis pathway in thrombin-stimulated platelets by a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Evaluation of its contribution to platelet activation and comparisons with the adenylate cyclase inhibitory protein, Gi

In platelets activated by thrombin, the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate by phospholipase C produces inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol, metabolites which are known to cause Ca2+ release from the platelet dense tubular system and granule secretion. Previous studies suggest that phospholipase C activation is coupled to platelet thrombin receptors by a guanine nucleotide-binding protein or G protein. The present studies examine the contribution of this protein to thrombin-induced platelet activation and compare its properties with those of Gi, the G protein which mediates inhibition of adenylate cyclase by thrombin. In platelets permeabilized with saponin, nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs reproduced the effects of thrombin by causing diacylglycerol formation, Ca2+ release from the dense tubular system and serotonin secretion. In intact platelets, fluoride, which by-passes the thrombin receptor and directly activates G proteins, caused phosphoinositide hydrolysis and secretion. Fluoride also caused an increase in the platelet cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration that appeared to be due to a combination of Ca2+ release from the dense tubular system and increased Ca2+ influx across the platelet plasma membrane. Guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), which inhibits G protein function, inhibited the ability of thrombin to cause IP3 and diacylglycerol formation, granule secretion, and Ca2+ release from the dense tubular system in saponin-treated platelets. Increasing the thrombin concentration overcame the effects of GDP beta S on secretion without restoring diacylglycerol formation. The effects of GDP beta S on platelet responses to thrombin which had been subjected to partial proteolysis (gamma-thrombin) were similar to those obtained with native alpha-thrombin despite the fact that gamma-thrombin is a less potent inhibitor of adenylate cyclase than is alpha-thrombin. Thrombin-induced diacylglycerol formation and 45Ca release were also inhibited when the saponin-treated platelets were preincubated with pertussis toxin, an event that was associated with the ADP-ribosylation of a protein with Mr = 41.7 kDa. At each concentration tested, the inhibition of thrombin-induced diacylglycerol formation by pertussis toxin paralleled the inhibition of thrombin's ability to suppress PGI2-stimulated cAMP formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mepacrine-induced inhibition of human platelet cyclic-GMP phosphodiesterase

The effect of mepacrine (DL-quinacrine-HCI), a specific inhibitor of phospholipase C, on cyclic-GMP levels in human platelets was investigated. The concentrations of mepacrine producing 50% inhibition of human platelet aggregation induced by 5 microM ADP and 3 micrograms/ml of collagen were 50 +/- 8 and 70 +/- 15 microM, respectively. Addition of mepacrine to human platelet suspension resulted in increases in cyclic GMP. In contrast to cyclic-GMP levels, cyclic-AMP content was not affected by mepacrine. Mepacrine did not stimulate guanylate cyclase, but did specifically inhibit human platelet cyclic-GMP phosphodiesterase, separated from cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase or other forms of phosphodiesterase on DEAE-cellulose columns. Stimulation by cyclic GMP of human platelet cyclic-GMP-stimulated cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase activity was not inhibited by mepacrine. The IC50 value of the drug for cyclic-GMP phosphodiesterase was 40 microM, and IC50 for cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase was 1.2 mM. Mepacrine was 30-times more potent as an inhibitor of human platelet cyclic GMP than of cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase. Mepacrine blocks arachidonate release from human platelets by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The increase in cyclic-GMP levels produced by addition of mepacrine will explain part of the pharmacological action of this drug.     

Neomycin cannot be used as a selective inhibitor of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in intact or semi-permeabilized human platelets. Aminoglycosides activate semi-permeabilized platelets.

High concentrations of neomycin (2-10 mM) inhibited aggregation, but not shape change, of intact platelets by collagen, ADP and the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, the last two studies being carried out in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. In contrast, over the same range of concentrations neomycin inhibited both aggregation and shape change induced by thrombin. Under these conditions activation of platelets by collagen and by thrombin, but not by A23187 or by ADP, is believed to be dependent on the hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids. These data therefore suggest that the inhibitory action of neomycin on intact platelets is not related to its previously reported inhibitory effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. The selective inhibition of thrombin-induced shape change indicates a second site of action of neomycin on intact platelets. On platelets rendered semi-permeable with saponin, neomycin and a second aminoglycoside antibiotic, streptomycin (each 0.06-2 mM), stimulated secretion and aggregation responses. These effects were inhibited by indomethacin and by EGTA. Activation of semi-permeabilized platelets by neomycin is associated with the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, indicating activation by phospholipase C. This effect is also inhibited by indomethacin, implying that it is secondary to the formation of prostaglandins and endoperoxides. These results are discussed in the context of the use of neomycin as a selective inhibitor of polyphosphoinositide metabolism.     

A diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, R59022, potentiates secretion by and aggregation of thrombin-stimulated human platelets.

The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 (10 microM) potentiates secretion and aggregation responses in human platelets challenged with sub-maximal concentrations of thrombin. Potentiation correlates closely with increased formation of diacylglycerol, increased phosphorylation of a 40 kDa protein, a known substrate for protein kinase C, and with decreased formation of phosphatidic acid, the product of diacylglycerol kinase. Phosphorylation of myosin light chains, formation of inositol phosphates and the mobilization of Ca2+ by thrombin are not affected by R59022 (10 microM). These data support a role for protein kinase C in platelet aggregation and secretion, and provide further evidence that endogenous diacylglycerols bring about the activation of this enzyme. These data also add further argument against a role for phosphatidic acid in platelet activation.     

Shape change induced in human platelets by platelet-activating factor. Correlation with the formation of phosphatidic acid and phosphorylation of a 40,000-dalton protein

Washed human platelets that have been separated from plasma in the presence of prostacyclin are activated by the addition of platelet activating factor (PAF). Activation (shape change, serotonin release, and aggregation) correlates closely with the formation of phosphatidic acid and the phosphorylation of a 40,000-dalton protein. Platelet shape change, formation of phosphatidic acid, and protein phosphorylation precede aggregation and are induced at lower concentrations of PAF than those required to induce release of serotonin and platelet aggregation. Platelet shape change, formation of phosphatidic acid, and protein phosphorylation induced by PAF are not affected by trifluoperazine or indomethacin. This indicates that these responses are independent of the liberation of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids and the metabolism of arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. These responses are, however, inhibited by prostacyclin. Platelet shape change is the first measurable physiologic response to platelet agonists and may be associated with the stimulation of phospholipase C, inducing formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol and its phosphorylated product, phosphatidic acid. Transient formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol may also induce the specific activation of the protein kinase C that phosphorylates a 40,000-dalton protein.