Intracellular signal mechanisms in induction of thromboplastin synthesis

Thromboplastin production in human monocytes gains steadily increasing significance as a pathogenetic factor in relation to human disease. A vast variety of stimuli can cause the induction of thromboplastin synthesis in monocytes, apparently through plasma membrane perturbation. Some of the possible signal compounds conveying information from the membrane to the intracellular-responding apparatus have been studied. Available data allow the conclusion that changes in intracellular concentrations of Ca2+, cyclic nucleotides and arachidonic acid metabolites as well as transmethylation reactions are of importance and modulate the integrated response which leads to increased synthesis and insertion of apoprotein III (the protein component of thromboplastin) in the plasma membrane.