Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets
05:49

Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets

Published on: November 29, 2024

Platelet mRNA: the meaning behind the message

Jesse W Rowley1, Hansjörg Schwertz, Andrew S Weyrich

  • 1Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.

Current Opinion in Hematology
|July 21, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Platelets contain messenger RNAs (mRNAs) sorted by megakaryocytes, influencing platelet function and disease. Ongoing research reveals their crucial roles in health and illness.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Megakaryocytes transfer diverse messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to platelets, which are capable of translation.
  • Platelet mRNA has been detected for nearly 30 years, but its functions are still being elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of mRNA expression, function, and clinical significance in platelets.
  • To highlight recent findings on mRNA sorting and its implications for platelet biology and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on platelet mRNA.
  • Analysis of next-generation RNA sequencing data for platelet mRNA characterization.

Main Results:

  • Megakaryocytes specifically sort mRNAs into platelets during thrombopoiesis.
  • Platelets contain thousands of mRNAs with classic structural features, including untranslated regions and open reading frames.
  • Altered platelet mRNA expression patterns are observed in various human diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Platelet mRNA research illuminates predicted platelet functions and reveals previously unrecognized platelet attributes.
  • Understanding platelet mRNA is crucial for comprehending platelet biology and its role in human disease.

More Related Videos

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice11:18

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice

Published on: April 2, 2013

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function06:47

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function

Published on: November 8, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

Structure and Function of Platelets

The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...