scholarly journals Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is phosphorylated on Ser157 by protein kinase C-dependent and -independent mechanisms in thrombin-stimulated human platelets

2005 ◽  
Vol 393 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. T. Wentworth ◽  
Giordano Pula ◽  
Alastair W. Poole

VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) is an actin- and profilin-binding protein that is expressed in platelets at high levels and plays a major role in negatively regulating secretory and adhesive events in these cells. VASP is a major substrate for cAMP- and cGMP-regulated protein kinases and it has been shown to be directly phosphorylated on Ser157 by PKC (protein kinase C). In the present paper, we show that, in human platelets, VASP is phosphorylated by PKC on Ser157, but not Ser239, in response to phorbol ester stimulation, in a manner blocked by the PKC inhibitor BIM I (bisindolylmaleimide I). In response to thrombin, VASP was also phosphorylated on Ser157, but this response was only partially inhibited by BIM I, indicating PKC-dependent and -independent pathways to VASP phosphorylation by thrombin. Using inhibitors, we have ruled out the possibility that the PKC-independent pathway acts through guanylate cyclase generation of cGMP, or through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent kinase. Inhibition of Rho kinase, however, substantially reduced Ser157 VASP phosphorylation, and its effects were additive with BIM I. This implicates Rho kinase and PKC as the major kinases that phosphorylate VASP Ser157 in response to thrombin in platelets.

FEBS Letters ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 192 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimihiko Sano ◽  
Hajime Nakamura ◽  
Tamotsu Matsuo ◽  
Yasuhiro Kawahara ◽  
Hisashi Fukuzaki ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (3) ◽  
pp. H1228-H1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carmen Martínez ◽  
Voahanginirina Randriamboavonjy ◽  
Patrick Ohlmann ◽  
Narcisse Komas ◽  
Juan Duarte ◽  
...  

The mechanisms of Ca2+ handling and sensitization were investigated in human small omental arteries exposed to norepinephrine (NE) and to the thromboxane A2 analog U-46619. Contractions elicited by NE and U-46619 were associated with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), an increase in Ca2+-independent signaling pathways, or an enhancement of the sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+. The two latter pathways were abolished by protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine kinase (TK), and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROK) inhibitors. In Ca2+-free medium, both NE and U-46619 elicited an increase in tension that was greatly reduced by PKC inhibitors and abolished by caffeine or ryanodine. After depletion of Ca2+ stores with NE and U-46619 in Ca2+-free medium, addition of CaCl2 in the continuous presence of the agonists produced increases in [Ca2+]i and contractions that were inhibited by nitrendipine and TK inhibitors but not affected by PKC inhibitors. NE and U-46619 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 42- or a 58-kDa protein, respectively. These results indicate that the mechanisms leading to contraction elicited by NE and U-46619 in human small omental arteries are composed of Ca2+ release from ryanodine-sensitive stores, Ca2+ influx through nitrendipine-sensitive channels, and Ca2+ sensitization and/or Ca2+-independent pathways. They also show that the TK pathway is involved in the tonic contraction associated with Ca2+ entry, whereas TK, PKC, and ROK mechanisms regulate Ca2+-independent signaling pathways or Ca2+sensitization.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Krishnamurthi ◽  
V V Kakkar

We have compared the abilities of exogenously added U46619, the PG endoperoxide analogue and, sn-l-oleoyl 2-acetylglycerol (OAG) and sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diCg), the membrane-permeant DAG analogues, at restoring weak agonist-induced secretion in indomethacin (10μM)-treated platelets (I-PL) in the absence of endogenous PG/Tx synthesis. [14C]-5HT secretion from pre-loaded, washed human platelets was correlated with the levels of [Ca2+]i, using platelets loaded with quin 2. Concentrations of OAG (62-125μM) and diCg (15-30μM), which have previously been shown to be fully effective at activating protein kinase C, failed to significantly enhance [14C]-5HT secretion in combination with ADP (10μM), adrenaline (10μM) or PAF (0.2μM) although they potentiated platelet aggregation, when added 10-30 sec after these agonists to I-PL. eg ADP-0%, 30jiM diCg-9.8%, ADP+diCg-11.9%, 5HT release (p>O.05). In contrast, a low concentration of U46619 (0.2μM), that induced no aggregation, [14C]-5HT secretion or rise in [Ca2+]i levels on its own, was able to synergize strongly at potentiating secretion in combination with all three weak agonists examined, as well as in combination with OAG and diCg (U46619-0%, ADP+U46619-20.4%, U46619+30μM diC8-48% 5HT release) . The greater effectiveness of U46619 at potentiating secretion in combination with the weak agonists was not related to different degrees of [Ca2+]i mobilisation, as ADP and PAF-induced rise in [Ca2+]i occurred to a similar degree in the presence of U46619 and diCg. At a higher concentration of U46619 (0.6μM), which was maximally effective at inducing secretion and elevating [Ca2+]i levels on its own, addition of the weak agonists or OAG or diCg, along with U46619, resulted in a further enhancement of secretion which was independent of changes in [Ca2+]i levels. The results demonstrate that U46619 but not OAG or diCg, is able to fully restore weak agonist-induced secretion in indomethacin-treated platelets, suggesting that the actions of endogenously formed PG endoperoxides/TxA2 cannot be substituted by DAG and raised [Ca2+]i levels and, may be mediated via a mechanism additional to that involving these mediators.


2009 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Aras-López ◽  
Fabiano E. Xavier ◽  
Mercedes Ferrer ◽  
Gloria Balfagón

Neuronal NO plays a functional role in many vascular tissues, including MAs (mesenteric arteries). Glucocorticoids alter NO release from endothelium and the CNS (central nervous system), but no results from peripheral innervation have been reported. In the present study we investigated the effects of dexamethasone on EFS (electrical field stimulation)-induced NO release in MAs from WKY (Wistar–Kyoto) rats and SHRs (spontaneously hypertensive rats) and the role of PKC (protein kinase C) in this response. In endothelium-denuded MAs, L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) increased the contractile response to EFS only in segments from SHRs. EFS-induced contraction was reduced by 1 μmol/l dexamethasone in segments from SHRs, but not WKY rats, and this effect was abolished in the presence of dexamethasone. EFS induced a tetrodotoxin-resistant NO release in WKY rat MAs, which remained unchanged by 1 μmol/l dexamethasone. In SHR MAs, dexamethasone decreased basal and EFS-induced neuronal NO release, and this decrease was prevented by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. Dexamethasone did not affect nNOS [neuronal NOS (NO synthase)] expression in either strain. In SHR MAs, incubation with calphostin C (a non-selective PKC inhibitor), Gö6983 (a classic PKC δ and ζ inhibitor), LY379196 (a PKCβ inhibitor) or PKCζ-PI (PKCζ pseudosubstrate inhibitor) decreased both basal and EFS-induced neuronal NO release. Additionally, PKC activity was reduced by dexamethasone. The PKC inhibitor-induced reduction in NO release was unaffected by dexamethasone. In conclusion, results obtained in the present study indicate that PKC activity positively modulates the neuronal NO release in MAs from SHRs. They also reveal that by PKC inhibition, through activation of glucocorticoid receptors, dexamethasone reduces neuronal NO release in these arteries.


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