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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation
09:13

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation

Published on: April 6, 2017

Quantitative assessment of polymerized and depolymerized platelet microtubules. Changes caused by aggregating agents.

M Steiner, Y Ikeda

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |March 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary

    Human platelets contain dynamic microtubules that shift between assembled and disassembled states. Aggregating agents cause a temporary decrease in polymerized microtubules, indicating a disturbed equilibrium.

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    Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

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    Area of Science:

    • Hematology
    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Microtubules, composed of tubulin, are crucial for cellular structure and function.
    • Platelets play a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis.
    • The dynamic nature of platelet microtubules and their response to stimuli are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the equilibrium between polymerized and depolymerized microtubules in human platelets.
    • To determine how platelet aggregation affects this microtubule equilibrium.

    Main Methods:

    • Human platelets were exposed to various aggregating agents (thrombin, ADP, epinephrine, collagen).
    • Microtubule polymerization was assessed by measuring colchicine binding activity of total and polymerized tubulin after "freezing" tubulin pools.
    • Threshold concentrations and dose-dependent responses were evaluated using thrombin.

    Main Results:

    • Resting platelets contain approximately 56.2 µg tubulin/1 x 10^9 cells, with 56.7% in polymerized form.
    • Platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, ADP, epinephrine, or collagen caused a transient decrease in polymerized tubulin within 15 seconds.
    • The decrease in polymerized tubulin returned to baseline within 1-4 minutes, independent of secretory release or platelet aggregation.
    • Thrombin demonstrated a threshold concentration for a dose-dependent dissociation of microtubules.

    Conclusions:

    • Human platelets possess microtubules in a dynamic equilibrium between polymerized and depolymerized states.
    • Interaction with aggregating agents transiently disturbs this microtubule equilibrium.
    • This dynamic behavior is an early event in platelet activation, preceding full aggregation or secretion.