The human fatty acid transport protein-1 (SLC27A1; FATP-1) cDNA and gene: organization, chromosomal localization, and expression.

Uptake of fatty acids into cells is a controlled process in part regulated by fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs), which facilitate the transport of fatty acids across the cell membrane. In this study the structure of the human FATP-1 (HGMW-approved symbol SLC27A1) cDNA and gene was determined, and the expression of its mRNA in human was characterized. Muscle and adipose tissue have the highest levels of FATP-1 mRNA, small intestine has intermediate levels, and FATP-1 mRNA is barely detectable in liver. The human FATP-1 gene has 12 exons and extends over more than 13 kb of genomic DNA. The FATP gene maps to chromosome 19p13.1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization, a region previously suggested to be implicated in the determination of small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Knowledge of the gene structure and chromosomal localization will allow screening for FATP mutations in humans with metabolic disorders, whereas knowledge of its expression pattern and factors regulating its expression could be of importance in understanding its biology.

Desensitization and resensitization of human platelets to 5-hydroxytryptamine at the level of signal transduction.

Desensitization of platelets to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) (1 microM), during active removal of the agonist by the platelet 5HT-uptake system, was studied at the level of signal transduction. Desensitization to 5HT was dose-dependent and homologous. Without occupation of the 5HT2 receptor, neither an increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] (30 nM ionomycin), nor a separate or simultaneous activation of protein kinase C (by 10 microM 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol), could induce desensitization to 5HT (1 microM). During the early phase of desensitization, the 5HT2 receptor was coupled to phospholipase C, whereas during the late phase of desensitization this coupling was disconnected. However, after disappearance of the agonist, the coupling in the resting platelet recovered quickly, and was nearly complete (82%) after 30 min. During this resensitization, the 5HT-inducibility of activation of phospholipase C, of the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] and of stimulation of protein kinase C were restored in parallel. The time course for resensitization of the 5HT-induced increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] was independent of the presence of extracellular Ca2+. It is concluded that, after dissociation of 5HT from the platelet 5HT2-receptor, 5HT-induced responses rapidly resensitize. Because of its short duration and the parallelism in recovery between the different 'down-stream phospholipase C' intracellular transduction signals, it is considered that desensitization arises from a reversible change in the transduction mechanism at a step up to or including the activation of phospholipase C. Neither desensitization nor resensitization to 5HT is dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+.

Cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase IIIA1 inhibitors decrease cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and increase the Ca2+ content of intracellular storage sites in human platelets.

The effect of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) inhibitors on Ca2+ homeostasis in human platelets was studied using both quin-2 (2-(bis-(acetylamino)-5-methyl-phenoxy)methyl-6-methoxy-8-bis-(acetylami no) quinoline) and chlorotetracycline (CTC) to measure changes in cytosolic Ca2+ as well as changes in the amount of Ca2+ accumulated in intracellular storage sites. At therapeutic concentrations (1 microM) milrinone and R 80 122 but not enoximone decreased the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in the resting platelet while the Ca2+ content in intracellular stores was increased. These observations are in accord with the proposed mechanism of action of cAMP-PDE inhibitors on cardiomyocites and highlight the particular role of cAMP in regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis.

The synergistic effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine and epinephrine on the human platelet is related to the activation of phospholipase C.

Simultaneous addition of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and epinephrine synergistically elevated cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) and activated phospholipase C. These phenomena occurred in an agonist concentration-dependent manner and reflected an increase in maximal response rather than a, shift in affinity for either of the stimuli. Ketanserin, a 5HT2 receptor antagonist completely blocked the response of 5-HT plus epinephrine and this in the nanomolar concentration range in which the drug selectively antagonizes 5-HT2 receptor-mediated responses. The synergistic effect was not a consequence of the activation by the platelet-release products ADP and 5-HT nor of influx of extracellular Ca2+. It is concluded that an increased activation of phospholipase C plays a major role in provoking the synergistic effects between 5-HT and epinephrine at the level of signal transduction.

Ouabain increases the calcium concentration in intracellular stores involved in stimulus-response coupling in human platelets.

The effect of ouabain on Ca2+ homeostasis in human platelets was studied using both quin 2 and chlorotetracycline to monitor changes in cytosolic Ca2+ as well as changes in the amount of Ca2+ accumulated in intracellular storage sites. In resting platelets, ouabain induces a concentration- and time-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and a marked elevation of Ca2+ in the intracellular stores. The amount of Ca2+ mobilized from these stores upon stimulation with thrombin, as well as thrombin-induced secretion of platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine, was increased after preincubation with the glycoside (3 x 10(-6) M). These data show that ouabain induces an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels, most likely mediated via Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, and that this incremental amount of Ca2+ is accumulated in an intracellular store involved in stimulus-response coupling. This may explain the enhanced functional responses of platelets to agonists in the presence of ouabain and suggests a role for Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in Ca2+ homeostasis of the human platelet.

The role of endogenously formed diacylglycerol in the propagation and termination of platelet activation. A biochemical and functional analysis using the novel diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, R 59 949.

The putative roles for the second messenger, diacylglycerol, were investigated in intact platelets using a novel diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, R 59 949, or (3-[2-[4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylene]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]-2,3- dihydro-2-thioxo-4(1H)-quinazolinone). The compound inhibited the diacylglycerol kinase in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) in isolated platelet membranes and in intact platelets. When platelets were stimulated with vasopressin in the presence of the compound, protein kinase C activity was markedly increased; the formation of inositol phosphates, the increase in intracellular Ca2+ and shape-change reaction were antagonized while the vasopressin-induced polyphosphoinositide synthesis was amplified, and this in a distinct inositolphospholipid pool. In the presence of R 59 949, vasopressin- as well as collagen-induced release reaction and aggregation was strongly increased, independently of the formation of arachidonate metabolites. It is concluded that diacylglycerol formed after receptor activation, likely by activating the protein kinase C, plays an important role in the propagation of platelet functional responses in casu aggregation and secretion and controls the termination of the primary receptor coupled responses.

The synergistic effect of serotonin and epinephrine at the level of signal transduction.

Evidence is presented of synergistic interactions occurring between serotonin and epinephrine at the level of signal transduction. Different mechanisms that can explain these synergistic effects are discussed.

The effect of the intracellular calcium chelator Quin-2 on the platelet phosphoinositide metabolism, protein phosphorylation and morphology.

When human platelets prelabeled with [32P] orthophosphate were loaded with Quin-2, the 32P-incorporation in phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol-4 phosphate and phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate increased, that in phosphatidylinositol decreased. These effects occurred in a Quin-2-concentration-dependent manner. On stimulation of the serotonin-S2 receptor, signal transduction, measured as changes in labeling in phospholipids and phosphoproteins, was altered in the presence of the fluorophore. Microscopic evaluation illustrated that Quin-2 affected platelet morphology as well in resting as in stimulated platelets. A correlation between platelet shape change and myosin light chain phosphorylation was apparent. The data evidence that the Quin-2 that is widely used for fluorometric determination of intracellular Ca2+, affects the metabolism of inositol-containing phospholipids whose breakdown is a key event in Ca2+-mobilization on excitatory platelet activation. These fluorophore-induced alterations might, besides the Ca2-chelating properties, play an important role in the Ca2+-dependent signalling processes in these cells.

The synergistic effect of serotonin and epinephrine on the human platelet at the level of signal transduction.

Simultaneous addition to platelets of submaximal amounts of excitatory agonists acts synergistically in provoking secretory and aggregatory responses. By measuring changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, inositol phospholipid metabolism and protein phosphorylation, we verified whether synergism could be evidenced at the level of signal transduction. Challenging platelets with epinephrine only induced minor changes on the measured parameters. However, when added together with serotonin, epinephrine amplified mobilisation of intracellular Ca2+, PA formation, PIP formation, protein kinase C and myosin light chain kinase activity as compared to the alterations induced by serotonin alone. It is concluded that synergistic effects on simultaneous addition of serotonin and epinephrine might originate at the level of signal transduction.

Prostaglandin E1 and forskolin antagonize C-kinase activation in the human platelet.

In human platelets, prostaglandin E1 and forskolin inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced phospholipase C, C-kinase and myosin light-chain kinase activity in a concentration-dependent way. Phospholipase C activation, however, was only partly inhibited, and this at higher concentrations than the protein kinases. Direct activation of the C kinase either by exogenous synthetic diacylglycerol or by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate was antagonized by prostaglandin E1 and forskolin. Since C-kinase activation is one of the key events in excitatory signal transduction in the platelets, we suggest that the inhibitory effect of agents that increase platelet cyclic AMP on platelet secretion and aggregation might reside in their capacity to antagonize C-kinase activity.

Serotonin-induced alterations in inositol phospholipid metabolism in human platelets.

When human platelets were incubated for 5 min with [32P]orthophosphate and then stimulated with serotonin, the 32P content of phosphatidylinositol (PI) increased within seconds, compared with the control. The 32P content of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) only slightly increased during the first minute after addition of serotonin and became more apparent on prolonged stimulation. These changes were not caused by serotonin-induced change in the specific activity of ATP. Using inorganic phosphate determination for the chemical quantification of different inositol phospholipid pools, we found that the platelet PI content remained nearly constant; the amount of PIP increased while that of PIP2 decreased. When the platelets were first prelabeled for 80 min with [32P]orthophosphate, the changes in 32P-labeled inositol phospholipids after addition of serotonin were similar to their changes in mass. When the platelet inositol phospholipids were labeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol, serotonin induced an increase in [3H]inositol phosphates. From these data, it is concluded in addition to the earlier-reported effects on phospholipid metabolism (de Chaffoy de Courcelles, D. et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 7603-7608) that serotonin induces: a very rapid formation of PI; and alterations in inositol phospholipid interconversion that cannot be explained solely as a resynthesis process of PIP2.

Agents that elevate platelet cAMP stimulate the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in intact human platelets.

The present study investigates the effect of compounds that are known to elevate cAMP on the phospholipid metabolism of platelets. Prostaglandin E1, forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine induce an increase in [32P]-phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) in platelets prelabelled with [32P]orthophosphate. Possible roles of this phenomenon are discussed in view of the inhibitory effect of cAMP elevation on platelet activation.

R 59 022, a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor. Its effect on diacylglycerol and thrombin-induced C kinase activation in the intact platelet.

R 59 022 (6-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl) phenylmethylene)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]-7-methyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-alpha] pyrimidin-5-one) was found to inhibit diacylglycerol kinase in human red blood cell membranes at concentrations where polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase, phosphatidylinositol kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate kinase activity remained unaffected. The concentration needed for half-maximal inhibition (IC50) was 2.8 +/- 1.5 X 10(-6) M for the kinase acting on endogenous diacylglycerol and 3.3 +/- 0.4 X 10(-6) M when 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) was added exogenously as substrate. In intact platelets, R 59 022 inhibits the phosphorylation of OAG to 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglyceryl-3-phosphoric acid (OAPA) (IC50: 3.8 +/- 1.2 X 10(-6) M); concomitantly the stimulation of protein kinase C activity by OAG was amplified. When in platelets inositol lipid turnover is accelerated by thrombin, further addition of R 59 022 results in a marked elevation of diacylglycerol levels, a decreased formation of phosphatidic acid and an increased protein kinase C activity as compared with the controls. It is concluded that in studies on the signal-transducing system coupled to inositol lipid metabolism R 59 022 might occupy a role comparable to cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, since it potentiates the effect of the putative second messenger diacylglycerol by preventing its rapid metabolism.

1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) stimulates the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in intact human platelets.

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is one of the primary products formed upon activation of platelets with stimuli that induce inositol lipid turnover. Its synthetic analog, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) is often used as a tool for studying the involvement of the lipid in platelet activation. We found that OAG induces a concomitant increase in [32P]-incorporation in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and in the 40K protein, the endogenous substrate for protein kinase C in human platelets. It is hypothesized that in receptor mediated platelet activation a metabolic link might exist between both processes.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate stimulates inositol lipid phosphorylation in intact human platelets.

The phorbol esters are among the most potent tumor promoters. On addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to isolated human platelets prelabelled with [32P]orthophosphate we found a rapid increase in 32P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. In view of similar findings with cells infected with the oncogene Rous sarcoma virus, it is suggested that inositol lipid phosphorylation might be a key event in the molecular action of phorbol esters.

Stimulation by serotonin of 40 kDa and 20 kDa protein phosphorylation in human platelets.

In human platelets, serotonin is known to induce a shape change followed by (reversible) aggregation. Recently, it was found that the amine triggers the elevation of cytosolic free calcium and activates phospholipase C. On stimulation of human platelets with serotonin we found an immediate increase in protein kinase C activity, phosphorylating its 40 kDa substrate protein. A 20 kDa protein, most likely the myosin light chain, was phosphorylated to the same extent. Ketanserin, a highly selective serotonin-S2 antagonist inhibited both phosphorylation processes at subnanomolar concentrations.