Interaction between phosphatidylserine and the isolated cytoskeleton of human blood platelets

Binding experiments were performed to demonstrate a direct interaction between cytoskeletons from human blood platelets and phosphatidylserine. A centrifugation technique using radiolabeled phosphatidylserine-vesicles and Triton X-100 insoluble residues from unstimulated human platelets was used to assess the binding. Interaction between cytoskeleton and phospholipid is demonstrated to be specific for phosphatidylserine. No binding was observed for phosphatidylcholine. The binding of phosphatidylserine was saturable and dependent on the concentration of cytoskeleton used. The interaction between phosphatidylserine and the cytoskeleton appeared to be completely reversible. The existence of a reversible and specific interaction between phosphatidylserine and the cytoskeleton of unstimulated platelets would suggest a role for the cytoskeleton in the maintenance of the asymmetric distribution of this lipid in the plasma membrane. We have previously shown (Comfurius et al. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 815, 143-148) that in activated platelets a strong correlation exists between degradation of platelet cytoskeletal proteins by the endogenous calcium-dependent proteinase (calpain) and exposure of phosphatidylserine at their outer surface. Nevertheless, hydrolysis of the isolated cytoskeleton by calpain did not result in a change in the parameters of the binding between phosphatidylserine and cytoskeleton. Also, sulfhydryl oxidation of the cytoskeleton by diamide did not affect its binding properties for phosphatidylserine, in spite of the fact that diamide treatment of platelets results in exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer surface. Exposition of phosphatidylserine upon activation of platelets cannot be directly ascribed to a change in affinity or number of binding sites of the modified cytoskeleton as measured in model systems. However, it cannot be excluded that topological rearrangements of the cytoskeleton as occur within the cell during platelet activation lead to a decreased contact between cytoskeleton and lipid, irrespective of the binding parameters.     

Binding of adenosine diphosphate to human blood platelets and to isolated blood platelet membranes

The equilibrium binding of 14C-labeled ADP to intact washed human blood platelets and to platelet membranes was investigated. With both intact platelets and platelet membranes a similar concentration dependence curve was found. It consisted of a curvilinear part below 20 microM and a rectilinear part above this concentration. At high ADP concentrations, the rectilinear part appeared to be saturable. Because of this, two classes of saturable ADP binding sites were proposed. ADP was partly converted to ATP and AMP with intact platelets while this conversion was virtually absent in isolated platelet membranes. ADP was bound to platelet membranes with the same type of curves found for intact platelets. The ADP binding to the high affinity system, which was stimulated by calcium ions, was nearly independent of temperature and had a pH optimum at 7.8. A number of agents were investigated for inhibiting properties. Of the sulfhydryl reagents only p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate inhibited both high and low affinity binding systems while iodoacetamide and N-ethylmaleimide were without effect. Compounds acting via cyclic AMP on platelet aggregation, such as adenosine and cyclic AMP itself, had no influence on binding. Some nucleosidediphosphates and nucleotide analogs at a concentration of 100 microM had no, or only a slight, effect on high affinity ADP binding. For some other nucleotides inhibitor constants were determined for both platelet ADP aggregation and ADP binding. The inhibitor constants of ATP, adenyl-5'-yl-(beta,gamma-methylene)diphosphate, IDP, adenosine-5'(2-O-thio)diphosphate, for aggregation and high affinity binding were in good correlation with each other. Exceptions formed fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine and AMP. The ATP formation found with intact platelets could be attributed to a nucleosidediphosphate kinase. It was investigated in some detail. The enzyme was magnesium dependent, had a Q10 value of 1.41, a pH optimum at 8.0, was competitively inhibited by AMP and reacted via a ping pong mechanism. All findings described in this paper indicate that platelets as well as platelet membranes bind ADP with the same characteristics and they suggest that the high affinity binding of ADP is involved in platelet aggregation induced by ADP. The results on nucleosidediphosphate kinase did not permit a firm conclusion about the role of the enzyme in induction of platelet aggregation by ADP.     

Adenine nucleotide metabolism of blood platelets. VIII. Transport of adenine into human platelets

Adenine uptake into human blood platelets is a carrier-mediated process with a K_m of 159±21 nM and a V of 100±10 pmoles/min per 10⁹ platelets (in citrated platelet-rich plasma). The Q₁₀ was 2.53±0.22. A pH optimum was found at 7.5. Washing of the platelets increased the K_m to 453±33 nM and V to 397±38 pmoles/min per 10⁹ platelets. The change in shape induced in platelets by ADP was accompanied by an increase in V (2 times) and K_m (1.5 times).Guanine (K_i 50 μM), hypoxanthine (K_i 390 μM), adenine-N′-oxide (K_i 40 μM), adenosine (K_i 100 μM), RA 233 (K_i 75 μM) and papaverine (K_i 15 μM) acted as competitive inhibitors. Adenosine at low concentrations, and prostaglandin E₁ gave inhibition at only high adenine levels. A similar inhibition was obtained with 2-deoxy-d-glucose. Sulfhydryl-group inhibitors, pyrimidines and ouabain had no effect.     

Adenosine and blood platelets

Adenosine is an important regulatory metabolite and an inhibitor of platelet activation. Adenosine released from different cells or generated through the activity of cell-surface ectoenzymes exerts its effects through the binding of four different G-protein-coupled adenosine receptors. In platelets, binding of A₂ subtypes (A_2A or A_2B) leads to consequent elevation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate, an inhibitor of platelet activation. The significance of this ligand and its receptors for platelet activation is addressed in this review, including how adenosine metabolism and its A₂ subtype receptors impact the expression and activity of adenosine diphosphate receptors. The expression of A₂ adenosine receptors is induced by conditions such as oxidative stress, a hallmark of aging. The effect of adenosine receptors on platelet activation during aging is also discussed, as well as potential therapeutic applications.     

Isolation of palmitoyl-CoA hydrolases from human blood platelets.

The palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity, which in human blood platelets is mainly localized in the cytosol fraction [Berge, Vollset & Farstad (1980) Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 40, 271--279], was found to be extremely labile. Inclusion of glycerol or palmitoyl-CoA stabilized the activity during preparation. Gel-filtration studies revealed multiple forms of the enzyme with molecular weights corresponding to about 70 000, 40 000 and 24 000. The relative recovery of the mol.wt.-70 000 form was increased by the presence of 20% (v/v) glycerol or 10 microM-palmitoyl-CoA. The three enzyme forms are probably unrelated, since they were not interconvertible. The three different species of palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase were purified by DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite chromatography, isoelectric focusing and high-pressure liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) to apparent homogeneity. The three enzymes had isoelectric points (pI) of 7.0, 6.1 and 4.9. The corresponding molecular weights were 27 000--33 000, 66 000--72 000 and 45 000--49 000, calculated from h.p.l.c. and Ultrogel AcA-44 chromatography. The apparently purified enzymes were unstable, as most of the activity was lost during purification. The enzyme with an apparent molecular weight of 45 000--49 000 was split into fractions with molecular weights of less than 10 000 by re-chromatography on h.p.l.c. concomitantly with a loss of activity. The stimulation of the activity by the presence of serum albumin seems to depend on the availability of palmitoyl-CoA, as has been reported for other palmitoyl-CoA hydrolases. [Berge & Farstad (1979) Eur. J. Biochem. 96, 393--401].     

Activation time of blood platelets

Summary Blood platelets react rapidly in their hemostatic function. Determination of the reaction or activation time of individual platelets is difficult because it requires that physical and/or chemical effectors of activation are nonlimiting. Analysis of experimental conditions shows that the best estimate of mean activation time comes fromin vivo measurements. Thus, the constancy of height-to-length ratio of a growing thrombus, and its change with flow rate, provide additional evidence for the activation time hypothesis.Dedicated with admiration and affection to the memory of Walther Wilbrandt, a very dear friend.