Summary
Background
Diadenosine 5′,5‴-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A), a natural compound stored in platelet dense granules, inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Ap4A inhibits the platelet ADP receptors P2Y1 and P2Y12, is a partial agonist of P2Y12, and is a full agonist of the platelet ATP-gated ion channel P2X1. Modification of the Ap4A tetraphosphate backbone enhances inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. However, the effects of these Ap4A analogs on human platelet P2Y1, P2Y12 and P2X1 are unclear.
Objective
To determine the agonist and antagonist activities of diadenosine tetraphosphate analogs towards P2Y1, P2Y12, and P2X1.
Methods
We synthesized the following Ap4A analogs: P1,P4-dithiotetraphosphate; P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate; P1-thio-P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate; and P1,P4-dithio-P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate. We then measured the effects of these analogs on: (i) ADP-induced platelet aggregation; (ii) P2Y1-mediated changes in cytosolic Ca2+; (iii) P2Y12-mediated changes in vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation; and (iv) P2X1-mediated entry of extracellular Ca2+.
Results
Ap4A analogs with modifications in the phosphate backbone inhibited both P2Y1 and P2Y12, and showed no agonist activity towards these receptors. The dithio modification increased inhibition of P2Y1, P2Y12, and platelet aggregation, whereas the chloromethylene modification increased inhibition of P2Y12 and platelet aggregation, but decreased P2Y1 inhibition. Combining the dithio and chloromethylene modifications increased P2Y1 and P2Y12 inhibition. As compared with Ap4A, each modification decreased agonist activity towards P2X1, and the dual modification completely eliminated P2X1 agonist activity.
Conclusions
As compared with Ap4A, tetraphosphate backbone analogs of Ap4A have diminished activity towards P2X1 but inhibit both P2Y1 and P2Y12 and, with greater potency, inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Thus, diadenosine tetraphosphate analogs with dual receptor selectivity may have potential as antiplatelet drugs.