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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
The PI 3-kinase PI3KC2α regulates mouse platelet membrane structure and function independently of membrane lipid
Maria V Selvadurai1, Rose J Brazilek1, Mitchell J Moon1
1Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract:
PI3KC2α is a phosphoinositide 3-kinase with a recently reported function in platelets; PI3KC2α-deficient mouse platelets have altered membrane structure and impaired function. Yet, how these membrane changes cause platelet dysfunction remains unknown. Here, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy of PI3KC2α-deficient platelet ultrastructure reveals a specific effect on the internal membrane structure, while liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry profiling of 294 lipid species shows unaltered lipid composition. Functionally, PI3KC2α-deficient platelets exhibit impaired thrombosis specifically under conditions involving membrane tethering. These studies indicate that the structural changes in PI3KC2α-deficient platelets are limited to the membrane, occur without major changes in lipid composition, and selectively impair cell function during thrombus formation. These findings illustrate a unique mechanism that may be targetable for anti-thrombotic benefit.
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