title: Platelet signal transduction defect with Galpha subunit dysfunction and diminished Galphaq in a patient with abnormal platelet responses.
abstract: G proteins play a major role in signal transduction upon platelet activation. We have previously reported a patient with impaired agonist-induced aggregation, secretion, arachidonate release, and Ca2+ mobilization. Present studies demonstrated that platelet phospholipase A2 (cytosolic and membrane) activity in the patient was normal. Receptor-mediated activation of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex measured by flow cytometry using antibody PAC-1 was diminished despite normal amounts of GPIIb-IIIa on platelets. Ca2+ release induced by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gammaS]) was diminished in the patient's platelets, suggesting a defect distal to agonist receptors. GTPase activity (a function of alpha-subunit) in platelet membranes was normal in resting state but was diminished compared with normal subjects on stimulation with thrombin, platelet-activating factor, or the thromboxane A2 analog U46619. Binding of 35S-labeled GTP[gammaS] to platelet membranes was decreased under both basal and thrombin-stimulated states. Iloprost (a stable prostaglandin I2 analog) -induced rise in cAMP (mediated by Galphas) and its inhibition (mediated by Galphai) by thrombin in the patient's platelet membranes were normal. Immunoblot analysis of Galpha subunits in the patient's platelet membranes showed a decrease in Galphaq (<50%) but not Galphai, Galphaz, Galpha12, and Galpha13. These studies provide evidence for a hitherto undescribed defect in human platelet G-protein alpha-subunit function leading to impaired platelet responses, and they provide further evidence for a major role of Galphaq in thrombin-induced responses.
authors.affiliation: The Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabbeta
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kowalska
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dhanasekaran
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins