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Structure of the gene encoding the murine dual specificity tyrosine-threonine phosphatase PAC1.

The mitogen-induced early-response gene, PAC-1, encodes a nuclear 32-kDa tyrosine-threonine dual specificity phosphatase, which has been shown to specifically dephosphorylate the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. Here, we describe the structure and sequence of the murine PAC-1 gene. Transcription starts at three major sites located between 80 and 90 nucleotides upstream of the murine PAC-1 initiation codon within a highly G/C-rich region. The gene comprises three exons, with exon 1 encoding the unique N-terminal half of the protein, while exons 2 and 3 encode the C-terminus that is homologous to the closely related phosphatases, 3CH134 and VH1. The conserved catalytic domain common to all tyrosine phosphatases is encompassed by exon 3. The organization of the murine PAC-1 gene suggests that the PAC-1 N-terminus, which may serve a regulatory function, has evolved as a separate domain from the C-terminal catalytic domain.

Animals↗

PAC1 receptors in chick cerebral cortex: characterization by binding of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, [125I]-PACAP27.

In this study we characterized receptors for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in chick cerebral cortex by in vitro binding technique, using [125I]-PACAP27 as a ligand. The specific binding of [125I]-PACAP27 to chick cerebral cortical membranes was found to be rapid, stable, saturable, and of high affinity. Scatchard analysis suggested binding to a single class of receptor binding sites with high affinity (K(d)=0.41+/-0.08 nM) and high capacity (B(max)=457+/-35 fmol/mg protein). The relative rank order of potency of the tested peptides to inhibit [125I]-PACAP27 binding to chick cerebrum was: PACAP38 approximately PACAP27>PACAP6-27 approximately PACAP6-38 >> chicken VIP >> mammalian VIP >> secretin (inactive). It is concluded that the cerebral cortex of chick, in addition to VPAC recognition sites, contains a large population of PAC(1)-type receptor binding sites.

Animals↗

PAC1 receptor activation by PACAP-38 mediates Ca2+ release from a cAMP-dependent pool in human fetal adrenal gland chromaffin cells.

Previous studies have shown that human fetal adrenal gland from 17- to 20-week-old fetuses expressed pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors, which were localized on chromaffin cells. The aim of the present study was to identify PACAP receptor isoforms and to determine whether PACAP can affect intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and catecholamine secretion. Using primary cultures and specific stimulation of chromaffin cells, we demonstrate that PACAP-38 induced an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) that was blocked by PACAP (6-38), was independent of external Ca(2+), and originated from thapsigargin-insensitive internal stores. The PACAP-triggered Ca(2+) increase was not affected by inhibition of PLC beta (preincubation with U-73122) or by pretreatment of cells with Xestospongin C, indicating that the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-sensitive stores were not mobilized. However, forskolin (FSK), which raises cytosolic cAMP, induced an increase in Ca(2+) similar to that recorded with PACAP-38. Blockage of PKA by H-89 or (R(p))-cAMPS suppressed both PACAP-38 and FSK calcium responses. The effect of PACAP-38 was also abolished by emptying the caffeine/ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores. Furthermore, treatment of cells with orthovanadate (100 microm) impaired Ca(2+) reloading of PACAP-sensitive stores indicating that PACAP-38 can mobilize Ca(2+) from secretory vesicles. Moreover, PACAP induced catecholamine secretion by chromaffin cells. It is concluded that PACAP-38, through the PAC(1) receptor, acts as a neurotransmitter in human fetal chromaffin cells inducing catecholamine secretion, through nonclassical, recently described, ryanodine/caffeine-sensitive pools, involving a cAMP- and PKA-dependent phosphorylation mechanism.

Adrenal Glands↗

The isolation and characterization of lipopolysaccharide-defective mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAC1.

Mutants with defective lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) were isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PACIR (Habs serogroup 3) by selection for resistance to aeruginocin from P. aeruginosa PI6 Carbenicillin-sensitive mutants were isolated from P. aeruginosa PACI but not all had defective LPSs. Rough colonial morphology and resistance to bacteriophage II9X appeared to be independent of LPS composition. The LPSs from five mutants were analysed and compared with that of the parent strain. Separation of partially-degraded polysaccharides from LPS from PACI on Sephadex G75 yielded two different high molecular weight fractions and a phosphorylated low molecular weight fraction (L). The mutant LPSs lacked most or all of the high molecular weight fractions but retained some low molecular weight material. That from PACI and two of the mutants was separated by elution from Biogel P6 into two fractions. One, L2, was the core polysaccharide while the other, LI, contained short antigenic side-chains attached to the core like the semi-rough (SR) LPSs of the Enterobacteriaceae. The two mutants which gave the LI fraction with Habs 3 and PACI antisera as did the parent strain. The other three mutants were unreactive and their LPSs contained core components only. One appeared to have a complete core while the other two lacked rhamnose and rhammose plus glucose respectively. Thus there may be four types of LPS in PACI: one contains unsubstituted core polysaccharide and yields L2 on acid hydrolysis, another has short antigenic side-chains of the SR type and yields the LI fraction, while the two high molecular weight fractions are derived from core polysaccharides with different side-chains.

Carbenicillin↗

Novel splice variants of type I pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor in frog exhibit altered adenylate cyclase stimulation and differential relative abundance.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts its various effects through activation of two types of G protein-coupled receptors, a receptor with high affinity for PACAP named PAC1-R and two receptors exhibiting similar affinity for both PACAP and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide named VPAC1-R and VPAC2-R. Here, we report the characterization of PAC1-R and novel splice variants in the frog Rana ridibunda. The frog PAC1-R has 78% homology with human PAC1-R and is highly expressed in the central nervous system. Two splice variants of the frog receptor that display additional amino acid cassettes in the third intracellular loop were characterized. PAC1-R25 carries a 25-amino acid insertion that matches the hop cassette of the mammalian receptor, whereas PAC1-R41 carries a cassette with no homology to any mammalian PAC1-R variant. A third splice variant of PAC1-R, exhibiting a completely different intracellular C-terminal domain, named PAC1-Rmc has also been identified. Determination of cAMP formation in cells transfected with the cloned receptors showed that PACAP activated PAC1-R, PAC1-R25, and PAC1-R41 with similar potency. In contrast, PACAP failed to stimulate adenylate cyclase in cells transfected with PAC1-Rmc. Fusion of PAC1-R or PAC1-Rmc with the green fluorescent protein revealed that both receptors are expressed and targeted to the plasma membrane in transfected cells. The different PAC1-R variants are highly expressed in the frog brain and spinal cord and to a lesser extent in peripheral tissues, where only certain isoforms could be detected. The present data indicate that in frog, PACAP may act through different PAC1-R splice variants that differ in their G(s) protein coupling and their abundance in various tissues.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Morphine withdrawal is modified in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I-receptor-deficient mice.

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I-receptor (PAC1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is widely expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system. The strong expression of PAC1 in the second sensory neuron as well as in brainstem regions such as the locus coeruleus prompted us to elucidate the potential in vivo role of PAC1-mediated signalling in pain perception and opioid addiction using a PAC1-deficient mouse line. We observed a selective involvement of PAC1 in the mediation of visceral pain. While there was no impairment in acute somatic pain perception, PAC1-mutants exhibited a dramatically decreased response in the abdominal writhing test. These data in concert with data from the literature implicate PAC1 in the mediation of visceral and chronic pain. In addition, we observed that PAC1 did not influence the motivational aspects of opioid addictive properties, since morphine-induced rewarding effects and sensitization to locomotor responses were completely maintained in PAC1-deficient mice. However, there was a dramatic increase in physical withdrawal signs after naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in PAC1 mutants. At the cellular level, electrophysiological examinations in locus coeruleus neurons from morphine-dependent wild-type and PAC1-deficient mice did not reveal any differences in firing rates. These data therefore suggested that most likely disruption of PAC1-mediated signalling in afferents towards the locus coeruleus but not within the intrinsic locus coeruleus system led to the enhancement of somatic withdrawal signs.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Determinants of specificity of a baculovirus-expressed antibody Fab fragment that binds selectively to the activated form of integrin alpha IIb beta 3.

PAC1 is an IgM kappa murine monoclonal antibody that, like the Arg-Gly-Asp-containing ligand fibrinogen, binds to integrin alpha IIb beta 3 only on activated platelets. The unique binding properties of PAC1 may be determined by its large size, its multivalency, and by variable region sequences, including an Arg-Tyr-Asp at residues 100A-C in H-CDR3. To study the molecular determinants of PAC1 function, baculoviruses containing cloned cDNA for the Fd heavy and kappa light chains of PAC1 were used to co-infect Sf9 insect cells. Infected cells secreted a soluble, monovalent, 50-kDa Fab fragment that bound saturably to agonist-stimulated platelets but not to resting cells. Fab binding was inhibited > 85% by 10 mM EDTA, 1 mM RGDS, 1 mM fibrinogen gamma 397-411, or 12 microM fibrinogen, but not by 1 mM RGES. Compared to PAC1 IgM, a 60-fold higher molar concentration of PAC1 Fab was required for half-maximal binding to platelets or for half-maximal inhibition of fibrinogen binding. PAC1 Fab bound to an activated form of alpha IIb beta 3 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, but not to the resting form of the receptor in these cells or to alpha v beta 3 in human endothelial cells. Conversion of Asp100C to Glu by site-directed mutagenesis rendered the antibody inactive, indicating that the Arg-Tyr-Asp sequence in H-CDR3 is essential for PAC1 recognition of alpha IIb beta 3. Binding of fibrinogen or PAC1 IgM to platelets induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 140-kDa platelet protein, but binding of PAC1 Fab did not. These studies demonstrate that the specificity of PAC1 for activated alpha IIb beta 3 is determined by an integrin recognition sequence within H-CDR3. However, the strength of this binding interaction and the ability of PAC1 to trigger signaling in platelets also depend on antibody valency.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PACAP type 1 receptor in the rat gastric and colonic myenteric neurons.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is known to regulate gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility. In the present study, the pattern of distribution of PACAP and PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1) immunoreactivities were examined in the rat stomach and distal colon using a specific polyclonal antibody raised against rat/human PAC1. Western blot of the membrane preparations of NIH/3T3 cells transfected with the human PAC1 obtained by using rabbit polyclonal anti-PAC1 antibody showed a protein band with a molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa. NIH/3T3 cells transfected with the human PAC1 and incubated with the anti-PAC1 antibody displayed surface cell-type immunoreactivity, which was internalized following ligand exposure. In gastric or colonic longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus (LMMP) whole mount preparations as well as cryostat sections, PACAP immunoreactivity was observed in cell bodies within the myenteric ganglia and nerve fibers in the muscle layers and mucosa. PAC1 immunoreactivity was confined mainly on the surface of the nerve cells. PACAP and PAC1 immunoreactivities showed a similar pattern of distribution in gastric and colonic tissues. Adjacent sections or LMMP whole mount preparations labeled with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) revealed the neuronal identity of myenteric cells bearing PAC1. The neuronal localization of PACAP and PAC1 receptors supports their role in the neural regulation of gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motor function.

3T3 Cells↗

Impaired somatodendritic responses to pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) of supraoptic neurones in PACAP type I -receptor deficient mice.

The role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor (PAC1 receptor) in regulating hypothalamic supraoptic neurones was investigated using PAC1 receptor-deficient male mice (PAC1-/-). The effects of PACAP on [Ca2+]i were investigated in freshly dissociated supraoptic neurones and on the somatodendritic release of vasopressin and oxytocin, examined on intact supraoptic nuclei. In supraoptic neurones from wild-type mice (PAC1+/+), 100 nm PACAP induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and release of vasopressin and oxytocin, whereas in heterozygous (PAC1+/-) and null-mutant mice (PAC1-/-), PACAP was much less effective. PACAP had no effect on these two parameters when applied to isolated neurohypophysial nerve terminals of PAC1+/+ and PAC1-/- mice, and rats. In conclusion, the PAC1 receptor is solely responsible for the PACAP-induced [Ca2+]i signalling and secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin in the somatodendritic region of supraoptic neurones.

Animals↗

Characterization and messenger ribonucleic acid distribution of a cloned pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptor in the frog Xenopus laevis brain.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been found to modulate neuroendocrine functions in the frog brain and pituitary, but the nucleotide sequence and brain distribution of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the selective type I receptor for PACAP (PAC1) in the frog are still unknown. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a PAC1 receptor complementary DNA (cDNA) clone from a frog (Xenopus laevis) tadpole brain cDNA library. This cDNA encoded a 466-amino acid protein that has 74% homology with human PAC1 receptor and 48% homology to the frog vasoactive intestinal peptide/PACAP receptor. Injection of in vitro synthesized mRNA of the cloned cDNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in expression of selective high affinity PACAP receptors (Kd = 47 pM). IC50 values for PACAP-38, PACAP-27, and VIP were 27 pM, 110 pM and >1 microM, respectively. These results indicated that the cloned cDNA represents a Xenopus PACAP-preferring PAC1 receptor. Northern hybridization revealed that PAC1 receptor mRNA was present at high levels in the brain. In situ hybridization showed that the PAC1 receptor gene was expressed highly in the pallium, preoptic nucleus, and nucleus of cerebellum, and moderately in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum. Moderate PAC1 receptor mRNA signals were detected in the distal lobe of the pituitary. A knowledge of the molecular structure and expression pattern of the PAC1 receptor will facilitate further investigation of the physiological roles of PAC1 receptor in the frog brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization and characterization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptors in the human cerebellum during development.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors are actively expressed in the cortical layers of the cerebellum of rodents and contribute to cerebellar development. The present report provides the first anatomical localization and characterization of PACAP receptors in the developing human cerebellum. RT-PCR analysis from 15-week-old fetuses to 22-year-old subject showed that PAC1-R and VPAC1-R are expressed in the cerebellum at all stages, whereas VPAC2-R mRNA was barely detectable. In situ hybridization labeling indicated that, in human fetuses, PAC1-R mRNA is associated with the external granule cell layer (EGL), a germinative neuroepithelium, and with the internal granule cell layer (IGL). The distribution pattern of VPAC1-R mRNA was very similar to that of PAC1-R mRNA, whereas VPAC2-R mRNA was visualized only in 7-22-year-old subjects. The localization of [(125)I]PACAP27 binding sites was fully consistent with the distribution of PAC1-R and VPAC1-R mRNA. Pharmacological characterization revealed that, in the EGL and IGL from 15-24-week-old fetuses and in the granule cell layer from 7-22-year-old patients, binding sites exhibit a PAC1-R profile. In contrast, PACAP binding sites observed in the molecular layer and medulla of the adult cerebellum consisted of a heterogeneous population of PAC1-R and VPAC(1/2)-R. Altogether, these data provide the first evidence that PACAP receptors are expressed in the human cerebellar cortex. PAC1-R is the predominant PACAP receptor found in fetuses, and both PAC1-R and VPAC1-R are expressed in the mature cerebellum. These observations suggest that PACAP has neurodevelopmental functions in the human cerebellum.

Adult↗

A constitutively active pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor shows enhanced photoaffinity labeling of its highly glycosylated form.

In the present study, we have analyzed a previously identified constitutively active pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I (PAC1) receptor with a deletion of the single amino acid residue Glu(261) (Y.-J. Cao, G. Gimpl, F. Fahrenholz, A mutation of second intracellular loop of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I receptor confers constitutive receptor activation, FEBS Lett. 469 (2000)). This glutamic acid residue is highly conserved within the second intracellular loop of class II G protein-coupled receptors and may thus be of importance for many members of this receptor class. To explore the molecular characteristics of this mutant receptor, we performed photoaffinity labeling using previously defined photoreactive PACAP analogues. In COS cells, the PAC1 receptor was expressed in two differently glycosylated forms: a M(r) 75,000 and a M(r) 55,000 form. According to partial deglycosylation, at least three carbohydrate chains may exist in the rat PAC1 receptor expressed in COS cells. The constitutively active PAC1 receptor was expressed at the surface of COS-7 cells at the same density as the wild-type receptor. With respect to the different photoreactive PACAP analogues, the labeling specificity was the same for the wild-type versus mutant receptor: (125)I-[Lys(15)(pBz(2))]-PACAP-27 and (125)I-[Bpa(22)]-PACAP-27 were efficiently incorporated into each of the receptors, whereas (125)I-[Bpa(6)]-PACAP-27 labeled each of the receptors only to a negligible extent. This suggests that both receptors have the same or at least a very similar hormone binding site which is in close contact to Tyr(22) and Lys(15) located in the carboxy-terminal alpha-helical region of the PACAP-27 molecule. However, in comparison with the wild-type PAC1 receptor, the constitutively active receptor showed a markedly (approx. 6--8-fold) enhanced photoaffinity labeling efficiency in particular of the high glycosylated form. The enzymatically deglycosylated rat PAC1 receptor was efficiently labeled by photoreactive PACAP analogues. In contrast, nonglycosylated PAC1 receptors produced by tunicamycin treatment of the transfected COS-7 cells showed a 30-fold lower affinity for PACAP-27 and were capable of signal transduction with 30--50-fold lower potency as compared with the glycosylated PAC1 receptors.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Mutations in the pale aleurone color1 regulatory gene of the Zea mays anthocyanin pathway have distinct phenotypes relative to the functionally similar TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The pale aleurone color1 (pac1) locus, required for anthocyanin pigment in the aleurone and scutellum of the Zea mays (maize) seed, was cloned using Mutator transposon tagging. pac1 encodes a WD40 repeat protein closely related to anthocyanin regulatory proteins ANTHOCYANIN11 (AN11) (Petunia hybrida [petunia]) and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1) (Arabidopsis thaliana). Introduction of a 35S-Pac1 transgene into A. thaliana complemented multiple ttg1 mutant phenotypes, including ones nonexistent in Z. mays. Hybridization of Z. mays genomic BAC clones with the pac1 sequence identified an additional related gene, mp1. PAC1 and MP1 deduced protein sequences were used as queries to build a phylogenetic tree of homologous WD40 repeat proteins, revealing an ancestral gene duplication leading to two clades in plants, the PAC1 clade and the MP1 clade. Subsequent duplications within each clade have led to additional WD40 repeat proteins in particular species, with all mutants defective in anthocyanin expression contained in the PAC1 clade. Substantial differences in pac1, an11, and ttg1 mutant phenotypes suggest the evolutionary divergence of regulatory mechanisms for several traits that cannot be ascribed solely to divergence of the dicot and monocot protein sequences.

Alleles↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-mediated intracrine signaling in the testicular germ cells.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is found not only in the brain, but is also abundantly expressed in the testicular germ cells. However, the physiological role of testicular PACAP remains unknown. Autoradiographic studies showed a considerable number of PACAP-specific binding sites in the seminiferous tubules. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated PAC1-receptor (R)-like immunoreactivity (li) in the cytoplasm of round spermatids, aggregated in the acrosome and coexpressed with PACAP-li. Spermatid-enriched fractions were examined for the subcellular localization of PACAP binding sites and PAC1-R-li. The highest levels of PACAP binding sites and PAC1-R-li were found in the cytosolic, followed by the nuclear, and the lowest levels in the membrane fraction. The testicular cytosolic PAC1-R-like protein showed a specific competitive inhibition in the radio-receptor assay for PACAP38 and 27, with a Ki of 0.069 nM and 0.179 nM, respectively. The addition of PACAP to the cytosol of spermatids only slightly activated adenylate cyclase, while it markedly stimulated the expression and activation of ERK-type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In the PAC1-R-like protein-depleted cytosol, a PAC1-R-specific agonist, maxadilan, did not activate MAPK, but PACAP and VIP still did. Because VPAC2-R, which binds both PACAP and VIP, is expressed in the testis, the findings suggest that cytosolic VPAC2-R-like proteins are also present and coupled to MAPK. The MAPK activation does not seem to require a heterotrimeric G-protein. Because PACAP and its receptors are coexpressed in the cytoplasm of spermatids, endogenous PACAP may directly interact with the cytosolic PAC1-R-like protein without the ligand being released into the extracellular space. This possibility is supported by the observation that cytosolic endogenous PACAP in spermatids was co-immunoprecipitated with the cytosolic PAC1-R. This mechanism may be called "intracrine," and its physiological significance is discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Anti-idiotypic antibodies against an antibody to the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex mimic GP IIb-IIIa by recognizing fibrinogen.

Binding of the adhesive ligand fibrinogen and the monoclonal antibody PAC1 to platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa is dependent on cell activation and inhibited by Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptides. Previously, we identified a sequence in a hypervariable region of PAC1 (mu-CDR3) that mimics the activity of the antibody. Here we examine whether monoclonal antibodies to this idiotypic determinant in PAC1 can mimic GP IIb-IIIa by binding to fibrinogen. Mice were immunized with a peptide derived from the mu-CDR3 of PAC1. Four antibodies were obtained that recognized fibrinogen as well as a recombinant form of the variable region of PAC1. However, they did not bind to other RGD-containing proteins, including von Willebrand factor, fibronectin, and vitronectin. Several studies suggested that these anti-PAC1 peptide antibodies were specific for GP IIb-IIIa recognition sites in fibrinogen. Three such sites have been proposed: two RGD-containing regions in the A alpha chain, and the COOH terminus of the gamma chain (gamma 400-411). Two of the antibodies inhibited fibrinogen binding to activated platelets, and all four antibodies bound to the fibrinogen A alpha chain on immunoblots. Antibody binding to immobilized fibrinogen was partially inhibited by monoclonal antibodies specific for the two A alpha chain RGD regions. However, the anti-PAC1 peptide antibodies also bound to plasmin-derived fibrinogen fragments X and D100, which contain gamma 400-411 but lack one or both A alpha RGD regions. This binding was inhibited by an antibody specific for gamma 400-411. When fragment D100 was converted to D80, which lacks gamma 400-411, antibody binding was reduced significantly (p less than 0.01). Electron microscopy of fibrinogen-antibody complexes confirmed that each antibody could bind to sites on the A alpha and gamma chains. These studies demonstrate that certain anti-PAC1 peptide antibodies mimic GP IIb-IIIa by binding to platelet recognition sites in fibrinogen. Furthermore, they suggest that the gamma 400-411 region of fibrinogen may exist in a conformation similar to that of an A alpha RGD region of the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of the fibrinogen receptor on human platelets by intracellular mediators.

We have used platelets permeabilized with saponin to examine the mechanism by which platelet activation causes the exposure of surface receptors for fibrinogen. Receptor exposure was detected using 125I-fibrinogen and 125I-PAC1, a monoclonal antibody specific for the activated form of the fibrinogen receptor. The potential mediators that were studied included guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and guanosine 5'O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), which cause G protein-dependent phospholipase C activation in platelets; inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), which causes Ca2+ release from the platelet dense tubular system; and diacylglycerol and phorbol ester, which activate protein kinase C. Each of these molecules caused fibrinogen and PAC1 binding. The effect of IP3 was mimicked by raising the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in the permeabilized platelets. However, IP3 and Ca2+-induced PAC1 binding were abolished by indomethacin or aspirin, which had no effect on PAC1 binding caused by Gpp(NH)p, phorbol ester, or diacylglycerol. This suggests that the response to IP3 and Ca2+ is due to the formation of metabolites of arachidonic acid. One such metabolite, TxA2, is believed to activate platelets by stimulating G protein-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Indeed, we found that the G protein inhibitor guanyl-5'-yl thiophosphate (GDP beta S) inhibited PAC1 binding caused by a thromboxane A2 analog (U46619), IP3, and Ca2+, but had no effect on diacylglycerol or phorbol ester-induced PAC1 binding. Thrombin-induced PAC1 binding and phosphoinositide hydrolysis were also inhibited by GDP beta S and by pertussis toxin. Increasing the thrombin concentration overcame the inhibition of PAC1 binding caused by GDP beta S but did not overcome the inhibition of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. These observations demonstrate that fibrinogen receptor exposure occurs by at least two routes. One of these, in response to agonists such as thrombin and U46619, is initiated by G protein-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis and involves the formation of IP3 and diacylglycerol. IP3 appears to act by stimulating Ca2+-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism which, in turn, triggers further phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Diacylglycerol acts by stimulating protein kinase C. A second route is activated by high concentrations of thrombin and is independent of phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗