Abstract

In the present study, the roles of Ca2+ and fibrinogen receptor occupancy in the regulation of phospholipase C by G protein-coupled and tyrosine kinase-linked receptor pathways in human platelets have been investigated. Agonist stimulation of phospholipase C was not altered significantly in the absence of stirring or in the presence of the fibrinogen receptor antagonist arginine-glycine-aspartate-serine, conditions that prevent platelet aggregation. Similarly, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels by the ionophores A23187 or ionomycin did not induce formation of inositol phosphates. In contrast, chelation of extracellular Ca2+ by ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) reduced formation of inositol phosphates by G protein receptor (thrombin)- and tyrosine kinase (Fc receptor and peroxovanadate)-regulated pathways. Similarly, short term exposure to Ni2+ ions, which also prevent Ca2+ entry, inhibited thrombin-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates. Loading of platelets with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) markedly suppressed elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and formation of inositol phosphates in platelets stimulated by G protein receptor- and tyrosine kinase-regulated pathways. The greater inhibition of phospholipase C by BAPTA, relative to that induced by EGTA, is consistent with the more pronounced inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ elevation. The tyrphostin tyrosine kinase inhibitor ST271 also reduced intracellular Ca2+ levels and inhibited activation of phospholipase C. The degree of inhibition of phospholipase C by ST271 was slightly greater than that induced by EGTA but was not additive with the effect of EGTA, suggesting a common mode of action. It is concluded that elevation of intracellular Ca2+ regulates agonist-induced activation of phospholipase C and that this contributes to the inhibition of thrombin-induced formation of inositol phosphates by the tyrphostin ST271.