RGS10 Negatively Regulates Platelet Activation and Thrombogenesis

PLoS One. 2016 Nov 9;11(11):e0165984. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165984. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins act as GTPase activating proteins to negatively regulate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Although several RGS proteins including RGS2, RGS16, RGS10, and RGS18 are expressed in human and mouse platelets, the respective unique function(s) of each have not been fully delineated. RGS10 is a member of the D/R12 subfamily of RGS proteins and is expressed in microglia, macrophages, megakaryocytes, and platelets. We used a genetic approach to examine the role(s) of RGS10 in platelet activation in vitro and hemostasis and thrombosis in vivo. GPCR-induced aggregation, secretion, and integrin activation was much more pronounced in platelets from Rgs10-/- mice relative to wild type (WT). Accordingly, these mice had markedly reduced bleeding times and were more susceptible to vascular injury-associated thrombus formation than control mice. These findings suggest a unique, non-redundant role of RGS10 in modulating the hemostatic and thrombotic functions of platelets in mice. RGS10 thus represents a potential therapeutic target to control platelet activity and/or hypercoagulable states.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Bleeding Time
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hemostasis / genetics
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects
  • Platelet Activation / genetics*
  • Platelet Aggregation / genetics
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / metabolism
  • RGS Proteins / genetics*
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Thrombosis / genetics*

Substances

  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex
  • RGS Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Rgs10 protein, mouse
  • Adenosine Diphosphate

Grants and funding

This work was supported by funds from the College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA (to F.T.K.).