CalDAG-GEFI integrates signaling for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation

Nat Med. 2004 Sep;10(9):982-6. doi: 10.1038/nm1098. Epub 2004 Aug 29.

Abstract

Signaling through the second messengers calcium and diacylglycerol (DAG) is a critical element in many biological systems. Integration of calcium and DAG signals has been suggested to occur primarily through protein kinase C family members, which bind both calcium and DAG. However, an alternative pathway may involve members of the CalDAG-GEF/RasGRP protein family, which have structural features (calcium-binding EF hands and DAG-binding C1 domains) that suggest they can function in calcium and DAG signal integration. To gain insight into the signaling systems that may be regulated by CalDAG-GEF/RasGRP family members, we have focused on CalDAG-GEFI, which is expressed preferentially in the brain and blood. Through genetic ablation in the mouse, we have found that CalDAG-GEFI is crucial for signal integration in platelets. Mouse platelets that lack CalDAG-GEFI are severely compromised in integrin-dependent aggregation as a consequence of their inability to signal through CalDAG-GEFI to its target, the small GTPase Rap1. These results suggest that analogous signaling defects are likely to occur in the central nervous system when CalDAG-GEFI is absent or compromised in function.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Diglycerides / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genotype
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Platelet Aggregation / physiology*
  • Second Messenger Systems / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Thrombosis / metabolism
  • Thrombosis / physiopathology*
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Diglycerides
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Rasgrp1 protein, mouse
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Calcium