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Podocalyxin in rat platelets and megakaryocytes
A Miettinen1, M L Solin, J Reivinen
1Division of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland. aaro.miettinen@helsinki.fi
The American Journal of Pathology
|March 18, 1999
Summary
Rat podocalyxin, a membrane protein, is found in platelets and megakaryocytes, suggesting a role in mammalian hematopoiesis. This study identifies its presence and sequence in these cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Podocalyxin is a known membrane protein in rat podocytes and endothelial cells.
- No prior sequence data or description in other cell types existed for rat podocalyxin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of podocalyxin in rat platelets and megakaryocytes.
- To determine the sequence and homology of rat podocalyxin with related proteins.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to detect surface exposure of podocalyxin.
- Western blotting to determine molecular weight.
- cDNA library screening, Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR for gene expression and localization.
Main Results:
- Podocalyxin antigens were detected in rat platelets and megakaryocytes.
- Platelet podocalyxin is intracellular but surface-exposed upon thrombin stimulation.
- Rat podocalyxin shares significant sequence homology with human and rabbit podocalyxin-like proteins.
- Podocalyxin mRNA is present in platelets, podocytes, endothelial cells, and megakaryocytes.
Conclusions:
- Rat podocalyxin is a homologue of podocalyxin-like proteins.
- Podocalyxin likely plays a role in mammalian hematopoiesis, similar to its role in chickens.