Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) signalling desensitization is counteracted via PAR4 signalling in human platelets

Biochem J. 2011 Jun 1;436(2):469-80. doi: 10.1042/BJ20101360.

Abstract

PARs (protease-activated receptors) 1 and 4 belong to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors which induce both G(α12/13) and G(αq) signalling. By applying the specific PAR1- and PAR4-activating hexapeptides, SFLLRN and AYPGKF respectively, we found that aggregation of isolated human platelets mediated via PAR1, but not via PAR4, is abolished upon homologous receptor activation in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. This effect was not due to receptor internalization, but to a decrease in Ca²⁺ mobilization, PKC (protein kinase C) signalling and α-granule secretion, as well as to a complete lack of dense granule secretion. Interestingly, subthreshold PAR4 activation rapidly abrogated PAR1 signalling desensitization by differentially reconstituting these affected signalling events and functional responses, which was sufficient to re-establish aggregation. The lack of ADP release and P2Y₁₂ receptor-induced G(αi) signalling accounted for the loss of the aggregation response, as mimicking G(αi/z) signalling with 2-MeS-ADP (2-methylthioadenosine-5'-O-diphosphate) or epinephrine (adrenaline) could substitute for intermediate PAR4 activation. Finally, we found that the re-sensitization of PAR1 signalling-induced aggregation via PAR4 relied on PKC-mediated release of both ADP from dense granules and fibrinogen from α-granules. The present study elucidates further differences in human platelet PAR signalling regulation and provides evidence for a cross-talk in which PAR4 signalling counteracts mechanisms involved in PAR1 signalling down-regulation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / enzymology*
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / physiology*
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / physiology*
  • Receptors, Thrombin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Thrombin / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptor, PAR-1
  • Receptors, Thrombin
  • protease-activated receptor 4