Search

We have performed a detailed investigation of the effects on platelet function of coenzyme A (CoA) and several acyl-CoAs. Platelet aggregation was measured by turbidimetry and by platelet counting; platelet shape change was measured using light scattering; P-selectin, Ca2+ mobilization and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation were measured by flow cytometry. The compounds investigated inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation; those with saturated acyl groups containing 16-18 carbons were most effective. The effects of palmitoyl-CoA (16:0) were studied in depth. It inhibited platelet shape change and Ca2+ mobilization brought about by ADP (but not other agonists) indicating antagonism at P2Y(1) receptors, and also inhibited ADP-induced P-selectin expression. Effects of palmitoyl-CoA on the platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization induced by several different agonists and agonist combinations were compared with those of MRS 2179 (a P2Y(1) antagonist) and AR-C69931 (a P2Y(12) antagonist), and were consistent with palmitoyl-CoA acting mainly at P2Y(1) but also with partial antagonism at P2Y(12) receptors. Antagonism at P2Y(12) receptors was confirmed in studies of VASP-phosphorylation. Palmitoyl-CoA did not act as an antagonist at P2X(1) receptors. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility that acyl-CoAs may contribute as endogenous modulators of platelet function and might serve as lead compounds for the design of novel antithrombotics.

Serotonin uptake in human platelets was inhibited by cytochrome P450 inhibitors such as miconazole and econazole but not clotrimazole. There was a correlation between inhibition of serotonin uptake and inhibition of imipramine binding, suggesting that these P450 inhibitors may inhibit serotonin uptake via direct binding to the transporter. P450 inhibitor effects on serotonin uptake did not seem to be related to the effects of these compounds on intracellular calcium mobilization. Additionally, nitric oxide pathway stimulation does not appear to be involved.

Numerous lines of evidence have suggested a key role for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) pathways in the regulation of alcohol consumption. To explore the functioning of the 5HT2 receptor in alcoholism, 5HT-stimulated intracellular calcium response was measured in platelets from abstinent alcoholic patients and normal comparison subjects. No difference in resting or stimulated calcium levels was observed. This finding suggests that 5HT2 receptor function is unaffected in non-drinking alcoholic subjects. The previously reported 5HT inhibition in actively drinking alcoholic subjects is likely to be a state rather than trait marker of alcoholism.

Uptake of tritiated serotonin into human platelets was found to be rapidly inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate. Binding studies indicated that uptake inhibition did not correlate with direct binding of these inhibitors to the transporter. Chelation of mobilizable intracellular Ca2+ did not inhibit the effects of genistein on uptake. These results suggest a more direct, non-Ca2+ mediated effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on uptake.

The serotonin uptake inhibitors sertraline, paroxetine and fluoxetine were compared with imipramine and the calmodulin antagonists N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide (W-7) and calmidazolium, for their effects on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets. All serotonin uptake inhibitors and calmodulin antagonists augmented thrombin-mediated increases in intracellular Ca2+. Sertraline, calmidazolium and W-7 also caused large dose-dependent increases in baseline levels of intracellular Ca2+. There was a rough correlation between the ability to elevate intracellular Ca2+ and potencies for inhibition of calmodulin. Neomycin, an inhibitor of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) generation, significantly inhibited the effects of sertaline. This is consistent with a role of IP3 and calmodulin in the effects of these drugs.

Lectin affinity chromatography was used to demonstrate the glycoprotein nature of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter. The human platelet transporter protein was solubilized with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), labelled with [3H]cyanoimipramine and chromatographed on lectin columns. Wheat germ, gorse seed and lentil lectin-agarose columns specifically retained 5-HT transporter. Peanut and horse gram lectins were ineffective. Concanavalin A showed high non-specific adsorption. Binding of [3H]imipramine to platelet membranes or solubilized 5-HT transporter was not affected by lectins. These data suggest that the lectin interaction with 5-HT transporter is extrinsic to the antidepressant binding site.

Calf brain and human platelet extracts purified by Bio-Gel P2 column chromatography contained substances that inhibited serotonin uptake and 3H-imipramine binding. Some of these endogenous substances were also recognized by rabbit antibodies produced against imipramine. The data suggest the possible existence of endogenous serotonin uptake modulators, which may possess a partial molecular structure similar to that identified by the antibodies.

Evidence suggests that [3H]imipramine labels the recognition site of the neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake mechanism. We are investigating the linkage between these binding sites and the carrier by biochemical characterization. [3H]Imipramine-labelled sites have been solubilized from outdated human platelets using the detergent digitonin. [3H]3-Cyanoimipramine binds persistently to these sites in the presence of Na+ at 4 degrees C. At higher temperatures, and in the absence of Na+, this ligand acts reversibly. We report the use of this pseudo-irreversible ligand in the initial molecular characterization of the recognition molecule. To confirm that this ligand occupies the [3H]imipramine-labelled sites, human platelets were prelabelled with 3-cyanoimipramine before incubating with [3H]imipramine. Only low affinity [3H]imipramine binding remained. The majority of the 3-cyanoimipramine was irreversibly bound under these conditions as shown by the use of the 3H compound. Gel permeation chromatography of [3H]3-cyanoimipramine-prelabelled platelet membranes solubilized with digitonin indicated a Stokes' radius of 6.3 nm. This is larger than values previously determined for cholate-solubilized sites. We conclude that [3H]3-cyanoimipramine will be useful for further purification and reconstitution studies.

Platelet 3H-imipramine binding values from 45 normal controls and 20 depressed subjects were collected over a 2-year period. During this time, wide inter-individual variations in the affinity constant (Kd) and maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) were observed in the control population; however, we failed to observe a seasonal change in platelet 3H-imipramine binding. The Kd and Bmax values of depressed subjects were not significantly different from those of controls.

Platelet 3H-imipramine binding in 12 subjects with Down's syndrome showed a significantly lower maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) as compared to both unrelated normal and parental controls. No difference in the affinity constant (Kd) was observed. The results support the value of the platelet 3H-imipramine binding assay in the investigation of defects in serotonin metabolism in humans.

Most investigators have measured binding of 3H-imipramine to platelet membranes, but some of the preparations may have contained varying proportions of intracellular protein because of contamination with incompletely lysed platelets. Since binding to membranes has been expressed with reference to the amount of protein in the membrane preparation, it is not surprising that there are discrepancies and a wide range of reported values for platelet imipramine binding in the literature. We have now completed a 9-month study of the binding of 3H-imipramine to intact platelets obtained monthly from 12 normal subjects. Using the intact platelet assay, as described by Friedl and Propping, we found that both Bmax and Kd for 3H-imipramine binding exhibited large month-to-month variations and no consistent seasonal trend was observed. The substantial variation in both Bmax and Kd among normal subjects and among samples obtained from the same individual at different times may limit the clinical usefulness of these measurements. A single blood sample is unlikely to give reliable values for Bmax and Kd for comparison purposes.

[3H]Imipramine binding sites were characterized on outdated (72-96 h) human platelets. The binding site profile was very similar to that previously described for fresh platelets and for CNS membrane preparations. [3H]Imipramine binding sites are believed to represent the recognition site for the 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake system. In order to further investigate this molecular relationship, we solubilized [3H]imipramine binding sites using 1% digitonin and characterised them using a polyethylene glycol precipitation assay. Solubilization did not alter the pharmacological specificity or affinity of the [3H]imipramine binding site and recovery of sites was very high. It was concluded that the solubilization procedure left the binding site remarkably intact. The ready availability of platelets and the convenience of the binding assay makes this system amenable for further purification steps.

Inhibition of high-affinity [3H]-imipramine binding to platelet membranes by human plasma fractions and isolated plasma proteins was investigated. Several plasma proteins were found to contribute to the observed apparent inhibition and this contribution was assessed in terms of inhibitor units. Alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, high density and low density lipoprotein, IgG and alpha 1-antitrypsin were identified as effective non-specific inhibitors. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein was confirmed to be the most potent plasma protein inhibitor. Cohn fractions were evaluated for the presence of the postulated endocoid of [3H]-imipramine binding site.