Effects of collagen, ionophore A23187 and prostaglandin E1 on the phosphorylation of specific proteins in blood platelets

Abstract

Human platelets that had been preincubated with 5-hydroxy[3H]tryptamine and [32P]Pi were stirred with various agents; the secretion of 5-hydroxy[3H]tryptamine from platelet granules and the radioactivity of platelet [32P]phosphopolypeptides separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis were then measured. Exposure of the platelets to collagen fibres or ionophore A23187 selectively increased the phosphorylation of polypeptides with apparent mol.wts. of 47000 (P47) and 20000 (P20) by approx. 3-fold, in association with the release of 5-hydroxy[3H]tryptamine. The 47000-mol.wt. phosphopolypeptide (P47) was clearly separated from platelet actin by the electrophoresis system used. Prostaglandin E1, which inhibits platelet function by increasing platelet cyclic AMP, decreased the phosphorylation of polypeptides caused by collagen as well as the release of 5-hydroxy[3H]tryptamine. Prostaglandin E1 also selectively increased the phosphorylation of distinct polypeptides with apparent mol.wts. of 24000 (P24) and 22000 (P22) by approx. 2-fold. As the phosphorylation reactions caused by collagen are probably mediated by an increase in Ca2+ concentration in the platelet cytosol and may have a role in the release reaction [Haslam & Lynham (1977) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.77, 714–722; (1978) Thromb. Res.12, 619–628], we suggest that a cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of the 24000- and/or 22000-mol.wt. polypeptides caused by prostaglandin E1 may initiate processes that decrease the Ca2+ concentration in the cytosol, so inhibiting both the Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation reactions and the release reaction. Treatment of platelets with prostaglandin E1 did not inhibit the increased phosphorylation of polypeptides with apparent mol.wts. of 47000 and 20000 (P47 and P20) caused by ionophore A23187, which may therefore short-circuit cyclic AMP-dependent mechanisms that decrease the Ca2+ concentration in the platelet cytosol. As prostaglandin E1 did inhibit the release of 5-hydroxy[3H]tryptamine by ionophore A23187, cyclic AMP may also inhibit the release reaction by additional mechanisms.