Roles of G proteins and their GTPase-activating proteins in platelets
Platelets are small anucleate blood cells supporting vascular function. They circulate in a quiescent state monitoring the vasculature for injuries. Platelets adhere to injury sites and can be rapidly activated to secrete granules and to form platelet/platelet aggregates. These responses are controlled by signalling networks that include G proteins and their regulatory guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Recent proteomics studies have revealed the complete spectrum of G proteins, GEFs, and GAPs present in platelets. Some of these proteins are specific for platelets and very few have been characterised in detail. GEFs and GAPs play a major role in setting local levels of active GTP-bound G proteins in response to activating and inhibitory signals encountered by platelets. Thus, GEFs and GAPs are highly regulated themselves and appear to integrate G protein regulation with other cellular processes. This review focuses on GAPs of small G proteins of the Arf, Rab, Ras, and Rho families, as well as of heterotrimeric G proteins found in platelets.
Funding
UCD School of Medicine
UCD Conway Institute
History
Comments
The original article is available at https://portlandpress.com/Published Citation
O'Donoghue L, Smolenski A. Roles of G proteins and their GTPase-activating proteins in platelets. Biosci Rep. 2024;44(5):BSR20231420Publication Date
29 May 2024External DOI
PubMed ID
38808367Department/Unit
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology
Publisher
Portland Press on behalf of the Biochemical SocietyVersion
- Published Version (Version of Record)