A major role for Scar/WAVE-1 downstream of GPVI in platelets.
BACKGROUND
The small GTPase Rac1 plays a critical role in lamellipodia assembly in platelets on matrix proteins in the absence or presence of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists. Rac mediates actin assembly via Scar/WAVE, a family of scaffolding proteins that direct actin reorganization by relaying signals from Rac to the Arp2/3 complex.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of Scar/WAVE-1 in mediating platelet activation and cytoskeletal reorganization.


RESULTS
Using specific antibodies, we demonstrate that murine platelets, like human platelets, express Scar/WAVE-1 and Scar/WAVE-2. Lamellipodia formation in Scar/WAVE-1(-/-) platelets is markedly inhibited on immobilized collagen-related peptide (CRP) and on laminin, both of which signal through the collagen receptor GPVI. In contrast, lamellipodia formation on collagen, which requires release of the GPCR agonists ADP and thromboxane A(2), is not altered. Immobilized fibrinogen supports limited formation of lamellipodia in murine platelets, which is not altered in Scar/WAVE-1(-/-) platelets. As with Rac1(-/-) platelets, Scar/WAVE-1(-/-) platelets exhibit a marked inhibition of aggregation in response to CRP, whereas the response to the GPCR agonist thrombin is not altered. Platelet aggregation on immobilized collagen under shear, which is dependent on signaling by matrix and GPCR agonists, was unaltered in the absence of Scar/WAVE-1.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates a major role for Scar/WAVE-1 in mediating platelet cytoskeletal reorganization and aggregate formation downstream of activation by GPVI but not by GPCR agonists.
Calaminus
S D J
SD
Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
McCarty
O J T
OJ
Auger
J M
JM
Pearce
A C
AC
Insall
R H
RH
Watson
S P
SP
Machesky
L M
LM
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013917:Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007797:Laminin; D019007:P-Selectin; D010455:Peptides; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; C492303:Wasf2 protein, mouse; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family; C435908:collagen-related peptide; C098341:platelet membrane glycoprotein VI; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D005340:Fibrinogen; D003094:Collagen; D013917:Thrombin