
Objective— The goal of this study was to investigate the potential crosstalk between Rap1 and Rac1, 2 small GTPases central to platelet activation, particularly downstream of the collagen receptor GPVI. Methods and Results— We compared the activation response of platelets with impaired Rap signaling (double knock-out; deficient in both the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, CalDAG-GEFI, and the Gi-coupled receptor for ADP, P2Y12), to that of wild-type platelets treated with a small-molecule Rac inhibitor, EHT 1864 (wild-type /EHT). We found that Rac1 is sequentially activated downstream of Rap1 on stimulation via GPVI. In return, Rac1 provides important feedback for both CalDAG-GEFI– and P2Y12-dependent activation of Rap1. When analyzing platelet responses controlled by Rac1, we observed (1) impaired lamellipodia formation, clot retraction, and granule release in both double knock-out and EHT 1864-treated wild-type platelets; and (2) reduced calcium store release in EHT 1864-treated wild-type but not double knock-out platelets. Consistent with the latter finding, we identified 2 pools of Rac1, one activated immediately downstream of GPVI and 1 activated downstream of Rap1. Conclusion— We demonstrate important crosstalk between Rap1 and Rac1 downstream of GPVI. Whereas Rap1 signaling directly controls sustained Rac1 activation, Rac1 affects CalDAG-GEFI– and P2Y12-dependent Rap1 activation via its role in calcium mobilization and granule/ADP release, respectively.
Feedback, Physiological, Mice, Knockout, rac1 GTP-Binding Protein, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins, Platelet Activation, Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12, CalDAG-GEFI; collagen; platelets; signal transduction; small GTPases; Animals; Feedback, Physiological; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Models, Animal; Platelet Activation; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12; Signal Transduction; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Mice, Models, Animal, Animals, Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors, Signal Transduction
Feedback, Physiological, Mice, Knockout, rac1 GTP-Binding Protein, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins, Platelet Activation, Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12, CalDAG-GEFI; collagen; platelets; signal transduction; small GTPases; Animals; Feedback, Physiological; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Models, Animal; Platelet Activation; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12; Signal Transduction; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Mice, Models, Animal, Animals, Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors, Signal Transduction
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 64 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
