Rap1 is a small, Ras‐like GTPase whose function and regulation are still largely unknown. We have developed a novel assay to monitor the active, GTP‐bound form of Rap1 based on the differential affinity of Rap1GTP and Rap1GDP for the Rap binding domain of RalGDS (RBD). Stimulation of blood platelets with α‐thrombin or other platelet activators caused a rapid and strong induction of Rap1 that associated with RBD in vitro. Binding to RBD increased from undetectable levels in resting platelets to >50% of total Rap1 within 30 s after stimulation. An increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is both necessary and sufficient for Rap1 activation since it was induced by agents that increase intracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by a Ca2+‐chelating agent. Neither inhibition of translocation of Rap1 to the cytoskeleton nor inhibition of platelet aggregation affected thrombin‐induced activation of Rap1. In contrast, prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), a strong negative regulator of platelet function, inhibited agonist‐induced as well as Ca2+‐induced activation of Rap1. From our results, we conclude that Rap1 activation in platelets is an important common event in early agonist‐induced signalling, and that this activation is mediated by an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Protein kinase B (PKB) is a serine/threonine kinase that is activated by growth hormones and implicated in prevention of apoptosis, glycogen metabolism, and glucose uptake. A key enzyme in PKB activation is phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K), which triggers the dual phosphorylation of PKB by phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinases (PDKs). Here we report that the major PKB subtype in platelets is PKBalpha, which is activated by phosphorylation of Thr(308) and Ser(473) and has a constitutively phosphorylated Thr(450) that does not contribute to PKB activation. alpha-Thrombin and thrombopoietin activate PKBalpha via PI-3K and trigger the concurrent phosphorylation of Thr(308) (via PDK1) and Ser(473) (via a not yet identified PDK2). In addition, alpha-thrombin activates a PI-3K-independent pathway involving phospholipase Cbeta and calcium-dependent protein kinase C subtypes (PKCalpha/beta). This route is specific for phosphorylation of Ser(473) and can be initiated by direct PKC activation with phorbol ester or purified active PKC catalytic fragment in platelet lysate. Different degrees of Ser(473) and Thr(308) phosphorylation correlate with different degrees of enzyme activity. These data reveal a PI-3K-independent PKB activation in which PKCalpha/beta regulates the phosphorylation of Ser(473) in PKBalpha. The independent control of the two phosphorylation sites may contribute to fine regulation of PKBalpha activity.

Objective-ADP-induced P2y 12 signaling is crucial for formation and stabilization of an arterial thrombus. We demonstrated recently in platelets from healthy subjects that insulin interferes with Ca 2ϩ increases induced by ADP-P2y 1 contact through blockade of the G-protein G i , and thereby with P2y 12 -mediated suppression of cAMP. Methods and Results-Here we show in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) that platelets have lost responsiveness to insulin leading to increased adhesion, aggregation, and procoagulant activity on contact with collagen. Using Ser 473 phosphorylation of protein kinase B as output for insulin signaling, a 2-fold increase is found in insulin-stimulated normal platelets, but in DM platelets there is no significant response. In addition, DM2 platelets show increased P2y 12 -mediated suppression of cAMP and decreased P2y 12 inhibition by the receptor antagonist AR-C69931MX. Key Words: P2y 12 receptor Ⅲ Ca 2ϩ regulation Ⅲ clopidogrel Ⅲ protein kinase B/Akt Ⅲ IRS-1 P latelet activation leads to release of components that initiate formation of a thrombus and start inflammatory responses that contribute to atherosclerosis. 1 Signaling through the P2y 12 receptor is crucial for formation and stabilization of a thrombus. 2,3 Inhibition of the P2y 12 receptor reduces collagen-induced adhesion, aggregation and thrombin generation. 3,4 Subjects with a P2y 12 deficiency have a bleeding tendency 3,5 and individuals with an increased P2y 12 receptor copy number have platelets with an increased responsiveness to agonists, and these subjects experience peripheral arterial thrombosis. 6 The CAPRIE trial shows that long-term administration of the P2y 12 antagonist clopidogrel is more effective than aspirin in reducing the combined risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death in subjects with a prothrombotic condition such as diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). 7 These findings illustrate the crucial role of P2y 12 signaling in platelet activation in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion-TheThe importance of P2y 12 signaling is explained by its capacity to initiate 2 pathways that directly interfere with platelet activating or inhibiting mechanisms. First, there is the activation of the G-protein subunit G i ␣, which inhibits adenylyl cyclase and thereby formation of the platelet inhibitor cAMP. 8 This property is particularly evident after treatment with prostacyclin, 9 and also in the absence of cAMP elevating agents, P2y 12 signaling controls cAMP production through adenylyl cyclase. 10,11 cAMP inhibits platelets through cAMPdependent protein kinase (protein kinase A [PKA]), 12 which inhibits almost all platelet functions through blockade of multiple steps in platelet activation cascades including receptor activation, signaling through the mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway, formation of thromboxane A 2 (TxA 2 ), and the activation of key enzymes such as phospholipase C ␤ and protein kinase C (PKC). 13 Second, there is the release of the G i ␤␥ dimer leading to the activation ...

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