The Regulatory Role Of Camp In Induction Of Human Platelet Receptor For Fibrinogen

Abstract

Membrane receptor for fibrinogen plays an essential role in adhesion and aggregation of human platelets by allowing fibrinogen to bridge two or more platelets together. Whereas in normal, unstimulated platelets fibrinogen receptor is not available, it becomes mobilized upon stimulation of platelets with thrombin, ADP, and other stimuli. The mechanism(s) regulating availability of membrane receptor for fibrinogen remains unknown. Following our recent demonstration that prostacyclin (PGI2) prevents mobilization of fibrinogen receptor by thrombin and ADP (Nature 1980, 283,195), we investigated the relationship between cAMP levels and fibrinogen receptor availability. Platelets separated from plasma proteins were briefly exposed to a low thrombin concentration (0.05 U/ml) followed by hirudin to inactivate free thrombin. Binding of 125I-fi- brinogen and cAMP levels were determined in parallel samples. A dose-dependent rise in platelet cAMP levels from 3.3 pM to 10.3 pM/108 platelets in response to PGI2 (3×10-9M - 3×108M) was accompanied by a corresponding inhibition of 125I-fibrinogen binding. The degree of the cAMP increment correlated with binding inhibition (r=0.96). The inhibition of 125I-fibrinogen binding by PGI2 was sustained up to 120 min and was paralleled by a persistent rise in cAMP level. Stimulation of platelet cAMP synthesis “from within” by a ribosylation of the nucleotide regulatory component with subunit A1 of cholera toxin also increased cAMP levels and inhibited fibrinogen receptor mobilization.These results provide evidence that “up and down” regulation of fibrinogen receptor in platelets is linked to changes in cAMP levels induced by different types of adenyl cyclase antagonists and agonists.