The Role of NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG Signaling Pathway in Regulation of Platelet Function

Stepan Gambaryan1

  • 1Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cells
|November 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/Protein Kinase G (PKG) pathways are crucial for platelet inhibition. This review clarifies controversial data on NO/cGMP/PKG signaling in platelets, highlighting new methods for antiplatelet drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Platelet function relies on a balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals.
  • Nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/Protein Kinase G (PKG) pathways are critical for platelet inhibition.
  • Existing data on NO/cGMP/PKG signaling in platelets presents inconsistencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and clarify controversial findings regarding NO/cGMP/PKG signaling in platelets.
  • To explore the sources of NO that activate soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in platelets.
  • To investigate the complex role of sGC/PKG in platelet inhibition and activation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on NO/cGMP/PKG pathways in platelets.
  • Analysis of inconsistent and controversial data.
  • Discussion of quantitative phosphoproteomic methods for PKG substrate identification.

Main Results:

  • The NO/cGMP/PKG pathway's role in platelet inhibition is complex and not fully understood.
  • Sources of NO and the precise function of sGC/PKG in platelet regulation require further investigation.
  • Quantitative phosphoproteomics offers a promising approach to identify PKG substrates.

Conclusions:

  • Quantitative phosphoproteomics can elucidate PKG-mediated effects in platelets.
  • Identifying new PKG substrates will enhance understanding of platelet inhibitory mechanisms.
  • This research may pave the way for targeted antiplatelet therapies.

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...
1.3K
Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
6.8K
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure...
5.1K
Paracrine Signaling01:21

Paracrine Signaling

Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...
55.3K
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade01:22

Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade

When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze...
8.6K
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway01:11

IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the  phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and...
12.3K