Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation
Published on: May 23, 2025
Staurosporine Induces Platelet Apoptosis Through p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway
Background:
Staurosporine (STS), a microbial alkaloid and potent PKC inhibitor, has become one of the most promising anti-cancer drugs. STS effectively induces apoptosis in many nucleated cells; however, it is still unclear whether STS induces apoptosis in enucleated platelets.
Methods:
Apoptotic events in platelets treated with STS were assessed by flow cytometry or western blotting.
Results:
STS induced depolarization of mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), up-regulation of Bax and Bak, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9 in human platelets. Furthermore, STS stimulation induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation significantly reduced ΔΨm depolarization and PS exposure in platelets stimulated with STS.
Conclusions:
These data indicate that STS induces platelet apoptosis via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings suggest that platelet apoptosis-related hemorrhage should be noticed in STS and its derivatives in clinical tests.
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