Human platelet protein kinases in diabetic retinopathy

Platelet glucose metabolism in type I diabetic subjects

In a group of 35 type I diabetics, platelet glycolytic and glycogenolytic flux have been measured. In type I diabetic platelets glucose uptake was significantly reduced. The quite normal lactate production was obtained by a faster utilization of stored glycogen in these patients. Specific activity of glycolytic enzymes was normal, in particular the levels and kinetic properties of soluble and membrane bound hexokinase. The rate of glucose flux through the hexose monophosphate shunt, measured either in resting or in arachidonic acid-stimulated platelets, was normal in diabetics. Kinetics of glucose transport across plasma membrane have also been determined. Km was significantly increased in diabetic patients. No changes was shown in Vmax. Modifications present in membrane organization of patients could involve glucose transport protein.

Cyclic AMP-binding proteins in human blood platelets detected by photoaffinity labelling

Cyclic AMP inhibits platelet aggregation induced by physiological agents. 8 Azido [32P]cyclic AMP (N3 cyclic AMP) has been utilized as a photoaffinity probe to define the cyclic AMP-binding proteins present in unperturbed human platelets and their subcellular fractions. Specificity of cyclic AMP binding was determined by contrasting binding in the presence and absence of excess unlabelled cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and 5'-AMP. Binding was unaffected by 5'-AMP and obliterated by cyclic AMP. Four major species of binding proteins, 49 000, 42 000, 39 000, 37 000, were obtained in all platelet fractions (crude homeogenate, cytosol, membranes and granules). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of platelet cytosol resolved the major molecular weight species into 15 specific cyclic AMP binding proteins of four molecular weight classes differing by charge density. These studies suggest that platelets contain an array of specific cyclic AMP-binding proteins which may function in hemostatic regulation.