Store-operated Ca 2؉ entry (SOCE) is a major mechanism for Ca 2؉ influx in platelets and other cells. De novo conformational coupling between elements in the plasma membrane and Ca 2؉ stores, where the actin cytoskeleton plays an important regulatory role, has been proposed as the most likely mechanism to activate SOCE in platelets. Here we have examined for the first time changes in platelet F-actin levels on a subsecond time scale. Using stopped-flow fluorimetry and a quenchedflow approach, we provide evidence for the involvement of cofilin in actin filament reorganization and SOCE in platelets. Thrombin (0.1 U/mL) evoked an initial decrease in F-actin that commenced within 0.1 second and reached a minimum 0.9 second after stimulation, prior to the activation of SOCE. F-actin then increased, exceeding basal levels approximately 2.5 seconds after stimulation. Thrombin also induced cofilin dephosphorylation and activation, which paralleled the changes observed in F-actin, and rapid Btk activation. Inhibition of cofilin dephosphorylation by LFM-A13 resulted in the loss of net actin depolymerization and an increased delay in SOCE initiation. These results suggest that cofilin is important for the rapid actin remodeling necessary for the activation of SOCE in platelets through de novo conformational coupling.
IntroductionIn nonexcitable cells such as platelets, store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), regulated by the filling state of the intracellular Ca 2ϩ stores, is a major mechanism for calcium influx. [1][2][3][4][5] Different models that have been presented to account for the activation of SOCE in distinct cell types can be grouped into 2 main categories that propose either indirect or direct coupling between the Ca 2ϩ stores and the plasma membrane (PM). Indirect coupling models assume the generation of a small diffusible molecule that operates as a Ca 2ϩ influx factor (CIF), so gating Ca 2ϩ channels in the PM. [6][7][8] On the other hand, direct or constitutive conformational coupling models propose a physical interaction between Ca 2ϩ channels in the PM and IP 3 receptors in the membrane of the intracellular Ca 2ϩ stores. 5,9 It also has been suggested that SOCE might be activated by the insertion of preformed channels into the PM by vesicle fusion in a secretion-like coupling model. 10,11 A modification of the constitutive conformational coupling model proposes a dynamic and reversible conformational coupling based on the transport of portions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) containing IP 3 receptors to the PM to facilitate de novo protein coupling. 9,[12][13][14] De novo conformational coupling requires a mechanical support provided by the actin cytoskeleton. 14 In addition, the cortical actin cytoskeleton plays a regulatory role by acting as a negative clamp that prevents constitutive coupling and activation of SOCE. 4,5,14,15 The de novo conformational coupling model requires that the cortical actin barrier be rapidly disrupted following cell stimulation to allow the coupling to occur. 9,12,16 Earlier d...