PROTEIN KINASE C CONTROLS CA2+ MOBILIZATION IN HUMAN PLATELETS
Platelet stimulation has been shown to result in a rise of cytosolic pH (pHi) as a result of an activation of a Na+/H+ antiport. We have investigated the role of pH in Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets. pHi and free Ca2+, {Ca2+)i, were measured in platelets loaded with the fluorescent indicators BCECF and quin2, respectively. Stimulation of platelets by either thrombin or OAG, an activator of protein kinase C (Pk-C), increased pHi. Pretreatment of platelets with inhibitors of Pk-C, trifluoperazine (TFP) or sphingosine (SPH), blocked the stimulus-induced rise in pHi, suggesting a role of Pk-C in the activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Blocking Na+/H+ exchange by an amiloride analogue or by TFP similarly suppressed the thrombin-induced increase in {Ca2*}i. This effect could be prevented by increasing pHi with the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin or with NH4Cl. The thrombin-induced (0.05 U/ml) rise in {Ca2+}i was more than 3-fold enhanced when the pH was raised from 6.8 to 7.4.Our results demonstrate that pHi controls Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets and suggest that Pk-C contributes to this control by activating the Na+/H+ exchanger.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. No Sche 46/5-2.