Rapid activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase in rat platelets

Incubation of intact platelets with prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGI2) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, indomethacin, dipyridamol) lead to activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase. The activation was rapid (maximal within 30 s) and stable after removal of agents and homogenization of platelets. The activation remained after DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The effect of the two types of agents on phosphodiesterase activity was more than additive and activation did not alter the nonlinear kinetic behavior of phosphodiesterase. The mechanism of the ex vivo stimulation is unknown at the present time, however, it does not seem to be due to cellular redistribution of the enzyme. The results suggest that activation of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase is an intermediate step. The ex vivo stimulation is regulated by a calcium-dependent process, since addition of Ca2+ ions and ionophore A23187 to Ca2+ depleted platelets abolished the ex vivo stimulation by PGE1 and MIX.