Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Yatomi

Publications and source records attributed to Y Yatomi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inhibition by diallyl trisulfide, a garlic component, of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization without affecting inositol-1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) formation in activated platelets.

Garlic has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. Some reports have shown that garlic has protective effects against atherosclerosis and inhibits platelet function. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which diallyl trisulfide (DT), a component of garlic, inhibits platelet function. DT inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization in a concentration-dependent manner without increasing intracellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. DT also had no inhibitory effects on thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) production in cell-free systems. Collagen-related peptide (CRP)-induced Ca(2+) mobilization is regulated by phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2) activation. We evaluated the effect of DT on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 and the production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)). DT at concentrations that inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization had no effects on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 or on the formation of IP(3) induced by CRP. Similar results were obtained with thrombin-induced platelet activation. DT inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization induced by thrombin without affecting the production of IP(3.) We then evaluated the effect of DT on the binding of IP(3) to its receptor. DT at high concentrations partially blocked the binding of IP(3) to its receptor. Taken together, our findings suggest that the agent suppresses Ca(2+) mobilization at a step distal to IP(3) formation. DT may provide a good tool for investigating Ca(2+) mobilization.

Allyl Compounds↗

Sphingosine 1-phosphate as a major bioactive lysophospholipid that is released from platelets and interacts with endothelial cells.

The serum-borne lysophospholipid mediators sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) have been shown to be released from activated platelets and to act on endothelial cells. In this study, we employed the repeated lipid extraction (under alkaline and acidic conditions), capable of detecting Sph-1-P, LPA, and possibly structurally similar lysophospholipids, whereby a marked formation of [(32)P]Sph-1-P, but not [(32)P]LPA, was observed in [(32)P]orthophosphate-labeled platelets. Platelet Sph-1-P release, possibly mediated by protein kinase C, was greatly enhanced in the presence of albumin, which formed a complex with Sph-1-P. This finding suggests that platelet Sph-1-P may become accessible to depletion by albumin when its transbilayer movement (flipping) across the plasma membrane is enhanced by protein kinase C. Although human umbilical vein endothelial cells expressed receptors for both Sph-1-P and LPA, Sph-1-P acted much more potently than LPA on the cells in terms of intracellular Ca(++) mobilization, cytoskeletal reorganization, and migration. The results suggest that Sph-1-P, rather than LPA, is a major bioactive lysophospholipid that is released from platelets and interacts with endothelial cells, under the conditions in which critical platelet-endothelial interactions (including thrombosis, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis) occur. Furthermore, albumin-bound Sph-1-P may account for at least some of the serum biological activities on endothelial cells, which have been ascribed to the effects of albumin-bound LPA, based on the similarities between LPA and serum effects.

Biological Transport↗

G(i)-mediated Cas tyrosine phosphorylation in vascular endothelial cells stimulated with sphingosine 1-phosphate: possible involvement in cell motility enhancement in cooperation with Rho-mediated pathways.

Since blood platelets release sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) upon activation, it is important to examine the effects of this bioactive lipid on vascular endothelial cell functions from the viewpoint of platelet-endothelial cell interactions. In the present study, we examined Sph-1-P-stimulated signaling pathways related to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) motility, with a special emphasis on the cytoskeletal docking protein Crk-associated substrate (Cas). Sph-1-P stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas, which was inhibited by the G(i) inactivator pertussis toxin but not by the Rho inactivator C3 exoenzyme or the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632. Fyn constitutively associated with and phosphorylated Cas, suggesting that Cas tyrosine phosphorylation may be catalyzed by Fyn. Furthermore, upon HUVEC stimulation with Sph-1-P, Crk, through its SH2 domain, interacted with tyrosine-phosphorylated Cas, and the Cas-Crk complex translocated to the cell periphery (membrane ruffles), through mediation of G(i) (Fyn) but not Rho. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, and formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion were mediated by Rho but not G(i) (Fyn). Finally, Sph-1-P-enhanced HUVEC motility, assessed by a phagokinetic assay using gold sol-coated plates and a Boyden's chamber assay, was markedly inhibited not only by pertussis toxin (or the Fyn kinase inhibitor PP2) but also by C3 exoenzyme (or Y-27632). In HUVECs stimulated with Sph-1-P, these data suggest the following: (i) cytoskeletal signalings may be separable into G(i)-mediated signaling pathways (involving Cas) and Rho-mediated ones (involving FAK), and (ii) coordinated signalings from both pathways are required for Sph-1-P-enhanced HUVEC motility. Since HUVECs reportedly express the Sph-1-P receptors EDG-1 (coupled with G(i)) and EDG-3 (coupled with G(13) and G(q)) and the EDG-3 antagonist suramin was found to block specifically Rho-mediated responses, it is likely that Cas-related responses following G(i) activation originate from EDG-1, whereas Rho-related responses originate from EDG-3.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates G(i)- and Rho-mediated vascular endothelial cell spreading and migration.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is a bioactive lipid released from activated platelets, which may be involved in angiogenesis. We, hence, investigated Sph-1-P effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from a viewpoint of angiogenesis. Sph-1-P facilitated HUVEC spreading on the basement membrane component Matrigel, at concentrations ranging from 10 to 250 nM. This stimulatory response induced by Sph-1-P was blocked by pertussis toxin and C3 transferase (from Clostridium botulinum), which inactivate G(i)-type heterotrimeric G protein and Rho, respectively. Furthermore, Sph-1-P, in the modified Boyden's chamber assay, stimulated HUVEC migration in a concentration-dependent manner, up to 250 nM. Checkerboard analysis revealed that Sph-1-P markedly induces directional migration (chemotaxis), but a random motility (chemokinesis) was also enhanced. The stimulatory effect of Sph-1-P on HUVEC migration was much stronger than that of other bioactive lipids, and again inhibited by pertussis toxin and by C3 transferase. Our present results that Sph-1-P induces endothelial spreading and migration through G(i)-coupled cell surface receptor(s) and Rho are consistent with a recent report on the role of this platelet-derived sphingolipid as a novel regulator of angiogenesis.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Differential activation and redistribution of c-Src and Fyn in platelets, assessed by MoAb specific for C-terminal tyrosine-dephosphorylated c-Src and Fyn.

Tyrosine kinases, c-Src and Fyn, in their active form, have their C-terminal tyrosine residue dephosphorylated. In this study, we used clone 28, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that recognizes dephosphorylated C-terminal tyrosine of c-Src and Fyn, to investigate the mode of activation and mobilization of these kinases. Independently of integrin alphaIIbbeta3 signaling, the Fyn activity increased by 8.3-fold 5 s after stimulation with 20 microM TRAP (thrombin receptor agonist peptide), while that of c-Src increased only by 2.9-fold 15 s after stimulation. Both c-Src and Fyn translocated to the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction in an aggregation-dependent manner. Five minutes after TRAP-stimulation, 85% of Fyn translocated to the cytoskeleton, while only about 20% of c-Src was recovered in this fraction. The Triton-insoluble fraction was further fractionated by RIPA (radioimmunoprecipitation assay) buffer containing 0.1% SDS. While active c-Src was predominantly present in the Triton-insoluble/RIPA-insoluble fraction, clone 28-negative c-Src was present in the Triton-insoluble/RIPA-soluble fraction. On the other hand, Fyn was present only in the Triton-insoluble/RIPA-insoluble fraction. These findings suggest that the mode of activation and redistribution into the cytoskeleton differs between c-Src and Fyn, and that clone 28 provides a useful tool for investigating the activation and mobilization of Src family tyrosine kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tyrosine dephosphorylation, but not phosphorylation, of p130Cas is dependent on integrin alpha IIb beta 3-mediated aggregation in platelets: implication of p130Cas involvement in pathways unrelated to cytoskeletal reorganization.

The newly described adapter molecule p130 Crk-associated substrate (Cas) has been reported to contribute to cytoskeletal organization through assembly of actin filaments and to be pivotal in embryonic development and in oncogene-mediated transformation. We characterized the regulation of Cas tyrosine phosphorylation in highly differentiated, anucleate platelets. Phospholipase C-activating receptor agonists, including collagen, thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP), and U46619 (a thromboxane A2 analogue), and A23187 (a Ca2+ ionophore) induced rapid Cas tyrosine phosphorylation in platelets. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, protein kinase C (PKC) activators, also induced Cas tyrosine phosphorylation, albeit sluggishly. Cas tyrosine phosphorylation induced by collagen or TRAP was transient in aggregating platelets; Cas became dephosphorylated in a manner dependent on integrin alpha IIb beta 3-mediated aggregation. While BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator) inhibited Cas phosphorylation induced by collagen or TRAP, Ro31-8220 (a PKC inhibitor) rather prolonged it. Under the conditions, this PKC inhibitor suppressed platelet aggregation but not intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. In contrast to Cas involvement in focal adhesions in other cells, platelet Cas phosphorylation preceded the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and blockage of alpha IIb beta 3-mediated platelet aggregation with a GRGDS peptide resulted in prolongation of stimulation-dependent Cas tyrosine phosphorylation but in suppression of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, TRAP-induced Cas phosphorylation was insensitive to cytochalasin D, an actin polymerization inhibitor. The failure of FAK to associate with Cas in immunoprecipitation studies also suggests that Cas tyrosine phosphorylation is independent of FAK activation. Of the signaling molecules investigated in this study, Src seemed to associate with Cas. Finally, Cas existed mainly in cytosol and membrane cytoskeleton fractions in the resting state, and remained unchanged during platelet aggregation, when FAK translocated to the cytoskeletal fraction. Our findings on platelet Cas suggest that (i) rapid Cas tyrosine phosphorylation occurs following phosphoinositide turnover by receptor-mediated agonists and may be mediated by intracellular Ca2+ mobilization; (ii) PKC activation, by itself, may elicit sluggish Cas phosphorylation; (iii) Cas tyrosine dephosphorylation, but not phosphorylation, is dependent on integrin alpha IIb beta 3-mediated aggregation; and (iv) Cas is not involved in cytoskeletal reorganization. Anucleate platelets seem to provide a unique model system to fully elucidate the functional role(s) of Cas.

Blood Platelets↗

Involvement of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 in platelet activation: tyrosine phosphorylation mostly dependent on alphaIIbbeta3 integrin and protein kinase C, translocation to the cytoskeleton and association with Shc through Grb2.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) (also known as RAFTK, CAKbeta or CADTK) has been identified as a member of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family of protein-tyrosine kinases and it has been suggested that the mode of Pyk2 activation is distinct from that of FAK. In the present study we investigated the mode of Pyk2 activation in human platelets. When platelets were stimulated with thrombin, Pyk2, as well as FAK, was markedly tyrosine-phosphorylated, in a manner mostly dependent on alphaIIbbeta3 integrin-mediated aggregation. The residual Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation observed in the absence of platelet aggregation was completely abolished by pretreatment with BAPTA/AM [bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid acetoxymethyl ester]. The Pyk2 phosphorylation was inhibited by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors at concentrations that inhibited platelet aggregation. In contrast, direct activation of PKC with the active phorbol ester PMA induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 and FAK but only when platelets were fully aggregated with the exogenous addition of fibrinogen (the ligand for alphaIIbbeta3 integrin). Furthermore, PMA-induced Pyk2 (and FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation was also observed when platelets adhered to immobilized fibrinogen. The activation of the von Willebrand factor (vWF)--glycoprotein Ib pathway with botrocetin together with vWF failed to induce Pyk2 (and FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation. Most Pyk2 and FAK was present in the cytosol and membrane skeleton fractions in unstimulated platelets. When platelets were stimulated with thrombin, both Pyk2 and FAK were translocated to the cytoskeleton in an aggregation-dependent manner. In immunoprecipitation studies, Pyk2, as well as FAK, seemed to associate with Shc through Grb2. With the use of glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing Shc-SH2, Grb2-SH2, and Grb2 N-terminal and C-terminal SH3 domains, it was implied that the proline-rich region of Pyk2 (and FAK) binds to the N-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2 and that the phosphotyrosine residue of Shc binds to the SH2 domain of Grb2. Although Pyk2 and FAK have been reported to be differentially regulated in many cell types, our results suggest that, in human platelets, the mode of Pyk2 activation is mostly similar to that of FAK, in terms of alphaIIbbeta3 integrin-dependent and PKC-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, Pyk2, as well as FAK, might have one or more important roles in post-aggregation tyrosine phosphorylation events, in association with the cytoskeleton and through interaction with adapter proteins including Grb2 and Shc.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Identification of lysophospholipid receptors in human platelets: the relation of two agonists, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) are known as structurally related bio-active lipids activating platelets through their respective receptors. Although the receptors for LPA and Sph-1-P have been recently identified in various cells, the identification and characterization of ones in platelets have been reported only preliminarily. In this report, we first investigated the distinct modes of LPA and Sph-1-P actions in platelet activation and found that LPA functioned as a much stronger agonist than Sph-1-P, and high concentrations of Sph-1-P specifically desensitized LPA-induced intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. In order to identify the responsible receptors underlying these observations, we analyzed the LPA and Sph-1-P receptors which might be expressed in human platelets, by RT-PCR. We found for the first time that Edg2, 4, 6 and 7 mRNA are expressed in human platelets.

Blood Platelets↗

Antibody studies of factor VIII inhibitor in a case with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

We report a case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with prominent bleeding tendency; laboratory investigation revealed an elevated activated partial thromboplastin time. Further laboratory evaluation showed circulating factor VIII anticoagulant, deemed polyclonal IgG, with a titer of 700 Bethesda Units/ml. The factor VIII inactivation kinetics of the patient plasma were identical to those of a type II inhibitor, and the inhibitor was found to recognize the A2 domain of the factor VIII heavy chain. Apparently, paraprotein is not always the cause of reduced activity of coagulation factors in neoplastic dysproteinemias.

Aged↗

Sphingosine 1-phosphate induces sinus tachycardia and coronary vasoconstriction in the canine heart.

OBJECTIVE: Sphingosine 1-phosphate is a naturally occurring biologically active lysophospholipid. Recent studies suggested that sphingosine 1-phosphate is released into the blood flow from activated platelets upon stimulation to exert multiple biological phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate on sinus automaticity, ventricular contraction and coronary blood flow. METHODS: The canine isolated, blood-perfused sinoatrial node and papillary muscle preparations were used. RESULTS: Sphingosine 1-phosphate increased the sinoatrial rate, while it decreased the coronary blood flow, which was followed by a weak negative inotropic effect. These positive chronotropic and coronary vasoconstrictor effects were not attenuated by the beta- and alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists atenolol and prazosin, respectively. Furthermore, sphingosine 1-phosphate did not affect the adenylate cyclase activity of the membrane preparations made from the canine right atrium and right ventricle, indicating the involvement of a novel signaling pathway in sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced cardiac effects. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide a clue to better understanding the physiological as well as the pathophysiological regulation of sphingosine 1-phosphate in the heart.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Platelet activation mediated through membrane glycoproteins: involvement of tyrosine kinases.

Fc gamma RII cross-linking and anti-CD9 mAbs included tyrosine phosphorylation of Fc gamma RII, Syk, and Lyn associated with Fc gamma RII in Fc gamma RII cross-linking but not in anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation. We prepared various GST fusion proteins expressing one or two SH2 domains of Syk and evaluated the association between these GST fusion proteins with Fc gamma RII. Based on the results obtained from these experiments, we suggest that only one tyrosine residue in ITAM of Fc gamma RII is phosphorylated with anti-CD9 mAb and that both are phosphorylated with Fc gamma RII cross-linking. Platelet activation mediated by GPIb, the receptor for vWF, is also related with tyrosine phosphorylation. Botrocetin and vWF induced Syk activation. Shc was also rapidly and heavily tyrosine phosphorylated. Sre and Lyn, a 54-kDa tyrosine kinase, was associated with cytoskeletal proteins. When GPIb was immunoprecipitated with nonfunctional anti-GPIb mAbs after platelets were activated with vWF and botrocetin, an in vitro kinase assay revealed the transient association of a kinase activity with GPIb after platelet activation. Phosphoamino acid analysis of phosphorylated proteins in this assay demonstrated that only tyrosine residues but not serine or threonine were phosphorylated, suggesting that the kinase was indeed a tyrosine kinase.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Activation of protein-tyrosine kinase pathways in human platelets stimulated with the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor.

The binding of multimeric von Willebrand Factor (vWF) to its specific receptor on platelets, glycoprotein (GP)Ib, is a critical event, allowing platelet activation and subsequent thrombus formation in the vessels. In this study, the effects of the monomeric A1 domain, which contains the GPIb-binding site of the vWF molecule, on platelet activation were examined. The binding of the A1 domain to GPIb resulted in Syk activation and association with Src, as is the case with intact vWF. However, the A1 domain, in contrast to vWF, did not induce platelet cytoskeletal association of tyrosine kinases, Src and Lyn. When platelet functional responses, such as aggregation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, were monitored, the A1 domain failed to induce the responses by itself and blocked the responses induced by the multimeric vWF molecule. These results suggested that the A1 domain triggers at least some of tyrosine kinase-related signals via GPIb and may be a partial agonist as well as a competitive antagonist for the vWF-GPIb interaction.

Blood Platelets↗

Rho-mediated phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and myosin light chain in human endothelial cells stimulated with sphingosine 1-phosphate, a bioactive lysophospholipid released from activated platelets.

Since sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is stored in abundant amounts in blood platelets and released extracellularly upon stimulation, it is important to clarify the effects of this bioactive lysophospholipid on vascular endothelial cells from the viewpoint of platelet-endothelial cell interactions. In this study, we investigated the effects of Sph-1-P on the cytoskeletal remodeling of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Of a focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family of non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, HUVECs were found to express FAK, but scarcely proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2. Sph-1-P induced FAK tyrosine phosphorylation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, and the formation of stress fibers in HUVECs. The specific Rho inactivator C3 transferase from Clostridium botulinum abolished all of these cytoskeletal responses induced by Sph-1-P, while pertussis toxin only partly inhibited FAK tyrosine phosphorylation, and hardly affected myosin light chain phosphorylation and stress fiber formation. In contrast, Sph-1-P-induced intracellular Ca(2)(+) mobilization was suppressed by pertussis toxin, but not at all by C3 exoenzyme. Our results suggest that Sph-1-P, a bioactive lipid released from activated platelets, induces endothelial cell cytoskeletal reorganization, mainly through Rho-mediated signaling pathways.

Cytoskeleton↗

Biological activities of novel lipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S-1-P), a lipid mediator shown to be a ligand for aortic G protein-coupled receptor [corrected] (AGRs), endothelial differentiation gene (EDG)1, EDG3, and AGR16/EDG5, is stored in platelets and released on their activation. Platelet consumption occurs in acute liver injury. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an important role in wound healing. Effects of S-1-P on HSCs were investigated. S-1-P enhanced proliferation of culture-activated HSCs. The mitogenic effect was pertussis toxin sensitive, mitogen-activated protein kinase dependent, and more prominent at lower cell density. S-1-P increased contraction of collagen lattices containing HSCs, irrespective of activation state, in a C3 exotoxin-sensitive manner. mRNAs of EDG1 and AGR16, but not of EDG3, were detected in HSCs. In HSC activation, EDG1 mRNA levels were downregulated, whereas AGR16 mRNA levels were unchanged. Considering that HSCs are capable of production of extracellular matrices and modulation of blood flow in sinusoids, our results suggest that S-1-P may play a role in wound healing process in the liver.

Actins↗

Effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate, a naturally occurring biologically active lysophospholipid, on the rat cardiovascular system.

Recent studies have indicated that sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is released into the blood flow from activated platelets upon stimulation to exhibit a wide spectrum of biological functions. The purpose of the present study was to assess the acute cardiovascular effects of circulating Sph-1-P in the in vivo rat model. Intravenous administration of Sph-1-P decreased the heart rate, ventricular contraction and blood pressure, while it hardly affected the atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction. Sph-1-P did not affect the adenylate cyclase activities of the membrane preparations made from the right atrium and left ventricle. These results suggest that functional receptors like lysophospholipid receptor Edg-1, which can inhibit adenylate cyclase via Gi protein, are lacking in the rat heart. Moreover, these observations will provide a clue to better understand the various types of Sph-1-P-related pathophysiological processes.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

FcgammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation differs between FcgammaRII cross-linking and platelet-activating anti-platelet monoclonal antibodies.

Using glutathione S-transferase Syk fusion proteins, we evaluated the mode of platelet FcgammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation induced by FcgammaRII cross-linking or anti-CD9 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). The N-terminal SH2 domain of Syk (Syk-N-SH2), the C-terminal SH2 domain of Syk (Syk-C-SH2), and the domain having both the N- and C-terminal SH2 of Syk (Syk-NC-SH2) all bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII with FcgammaRII cross-linking. In the case of anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation, only Syk-C-SH2 and Syk-NC-SH2 bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII. Since the SH2 domain is specific for a particular structure containing phosphotyrosine, these findings suggest that only one tyrosine residue in the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) is phosphorylated with anti-CD9 mAb, and that both are phosphorylated with FcgammaRII cross-linking. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the ITAM of human platelet FcgammaRII with the N-terminal tyrosine residue phosphorylated (N-P) or the C-terminal tyrosine residue phosphorylated (C-P), were used. N-P more potently dissociated Syk-C-SH2 from tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII than C-P, suggesting that the N-terminal tyrosine residue is phosphorylated upon anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation. Furthermore, these findings imply that Syk-N-SH2 binds to the phosphorylated C-terminal tyrosine residue of ITAM, and Syk-C-SH2 to the N-terminal tyrosine. Taken together, our findings suggest that FcgammaRII-dependent platelet activation without FcgammaRII dimerization, such as with anti-CD9 mAb, is distinct from that induced by FcgammaRII cross-linking.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

EDG3 is a functional receptor specific for sphingosine 1-phosphate and sphingosylphosphorylcholine with signaling characteristics distinct from EDG1 and AGR16.

AGR16/H218/EDG5 and EDG1 are functional receptors for lysosphingolipids, whereas EDG2 and EGD4 are receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The present study demonstrates that EDG3, the yet poorly defined member of the EDG family G protein-coupled receptors, shows identical agonist specificity, but distinct signaling characteristics, compared to AGR16 and EDG1. Overexpression of EDG3 conferred a specific [32P]S1P binding, which was displaced by S1P and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), but not by LPA or other related lipids. In cells overexpressing EDG3, S1P induced inositol phosphate production and [Ca2+]i increase in a manner only partially sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX), which was similar to the case of AGR16, but quite different from the case of EDG1, in which the S1P-induced responses were totally abolished by PTX. EDG3 also mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in PTX-sensitive and Ras-dependent manners, as in the cases of EDG1 and AGR16, although EDG3 and EDG1 were more effectively coupled to activation of MAPK, compared to AGR16. Additionally, EDG3 mediated a decrease in cellular cyclic AMP content, like EDG1, but contrasting with AGR16 which mediated an increase in cyclic AMP. These and previous results establish that EDG1, AGR16 and EDG3 comprise the lysosphingolipid receptor subfamily, each showing distinct signaling characteristics.

Animals↗

Induction and suppression of endothelial cell apoptosis by sphingolipids: a possible in vitro model for cell-cell interactions between platelets and endothelial cells.

Because sphingosine (Sph) is actively incorporated into platelets and rapidly converted to sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), which is then released extracellularly, it is important to study the effects of Sph and Sph-1-P on endothelial cells from the viewpoint of platelet-endothelial cell interaction. In this study, we found that Sph, as well as ceramide, induces apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In contrast, Sph-1-P acts as a HUVEC survival factor; this bioactive lipid was shown to protect HUVECs from apoptosis induced by the withdrawal of growth factors and to stimulate HUVEC DNA synthesis. In metabolic studies, [3H]Sph, incorporated into HUVECs, was converted to [3H]Cer and further to [3H]sphingomyelin in a time-dependent manner, whereas [3H]Sph-1-P formation from [3H]Sph was weak and transient. These findings in HUVECs are very different from those of platelets, which possess a highly active Sph kinase but lack Sph-1-P lyase. As a result, platelets abundantly store Sph-1-P, whereas HUVECs contain much less Sph-1-P. Finally, HUVECs, in contrast to platelets, failed to release Sph-1-P extracellularly, indicating that HUVECs themselves are not able to supply the survival factor Sph-1-P, but receive it from activated platelets. Our results suggest that platelets may maintain the integrity of endothelial cells by incorporating Sph and releasing Sph-1-P.

Acetic Anhydrides↗