Defects of thrombin-induced protein phosphorylation in platelets from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Aggregation and secretion of washed platelets from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were greatly reduced by the development of the hypertension compared with those of platelets from age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Concomitantly, thrombin-induced phosphorylation of the 47 kDa protein in SHRSP platelets was significantly decreased. However, TPA-induced aggregation, secretion and 47 kDa protein phosphorylation in SHRSP platelets were similar to those in WKY platelets. These results suggest that protein kinase C activity and its substrate were normally present in SHRSP platelets and that defects in the receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase C. This defective protein phosphorylation may be an underlying mechanism for the dysfunction of SHRSP platelets.