Comparative proteomics reveals unexpected quantitative phosphorylation differences linked to platelet activation state

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 12;9(1):19009. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-55391-5.

Abstract

There is a need to assess platelet activation in patients with thrombotic disorders. P-selectin and activated integrin αIIbβ3 are usually quantified by flow cytometry to measure platelet activation. Monitoring changes in vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation is an established method to determine the platelet-reactivity status. To study disruptions of platelet reactivity more comprehensively, we compared the human non-secretory platelet proteome after in-vitro -activation and -inhibition with their respective untreated controls using unbiased fluorescence two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis. The non-secretory platelet proteome was more severely affected during inhibition than during activation. Strikingly, while VASP reached a 1.3-fold increase in phosphorylation levels in inhibited platelets, other protein kinase A targets showed several-fold stronger inhibition-induced phosphorylation levels, including LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (6.7-fold), Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2 (4.6-fold), and Ras-related protein Rap1b (4.1-fold). Moreover, phosphorylation of integrin-linked protein kinase (ILK) and pleckstrin (PLEK) species was associated with P-selectin surface expression. The discrimination power between activation and inhibition was more pronounced for dephosphorylated ILK (3.79 Cohen's d effect size) and phosphorylated PLEK (3.77) species than for P-selectin (2.35). These data reveal new insights into the quantitative changes of the platelet reactivity proteome and suggest powerful alternatives to characterise their activation and inactivation potential.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Platelet Activation*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics*
  • Quality Control

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • P-Selectin
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proteome
  • SELP protein, human
  • platelet protein P47
  • vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein
  • integrin-linked kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases