Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.5 (thrombin)
 33,306 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The relationship between thrombin-evoked changes in intracellular calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) and aggregation was examined in Indo-1-loaded human platelets. The stimulus-induced intracellular calcium release and external calcium influx, as well as platelet aggregation, were studied in the same cell preparation. A close correlation between the sustained high [Ca2+]i level, depending on calcium entry, and the aggregation response was found. Gramicidin, at a concentration high enough to induce membrane depolarization, strongly inhibited the calcium influx and aggregation, but did not influence the thrombin-induced intracellular calcium release. We conclude that calcium influx through depolarization-inhibited calcium channels is a prerequisite of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.
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PMID:Membrane depolarization inhibits thrombin-induced calcium influx and aggregation in human platelets. 169 85

The membrane potential of human platelets, and the role of this potential in platelet aggregation, was assessed using the noncovalent, fluorescent probe DiS-C3-5. High K+ and Gramicidin depolarised the cells, whereas valinomycin in standard (4 mMK+) solution produced a hyperpolarisation. Very small changes in potential were observed when choline Cl replaced NaCl. These findings indicate that platelets possess a relatively K+-perm-selective membrane. The resting potential calculated from the "valinomycin null point" (the K+ concentration gradient at which valinomycin did not change the potential) was approximately -60 mV. Other factors that contribute to the platelet membrane potential include a significant Cl- permeability, demonstrated by replacing Cl- with methylsulphate, and an electrogenic Na+ pump, demonstrated using strophanthidin. Little or no change in potential was observed upon addition of ADP, collagen, U44069 or thrombin. Neither strong depolarisation with high K+ or gramicidin nor hyperpolarisation with valinomycin induced platelet aggregation or altered platelet responses to agonists. It is concluded that the information transduction mechanisms involved in platelet activation do not include changes in platelet membrane potential.
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PMID:The role of platelet membrane potential in the initiation of platelet aggregation. 617 41