The platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex (GPIb-IX-IV) is the receptor for VWF and is responsible for VWF-mediated platelet activation and aggregation. Loss of the GPIb-IX-V complex is pathogenic for Bernard-soulier Syndrome (BSS), which is characterized by macrothrombocytopenia and impaired platelet function. It remains unclear how the GPIb-IX-V complex is assembled and whether there is a role for a specific molecular chaperone in the process. In the present study, we report that the assembly of the GPIb-IX-V complex depends critically on a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER): gp96 (also known as grp94 and HSP90b1). gp96/grp94 deletion in the murine hematopoietic system results in thrombocytopenia, prolonged bleeding time, and giant platelets that are clinically indistinguishable from human BSS. Loss of gp96/grp94 in vivo and in vitro leads to the concomitant reduction in GPIb-IX complex expression due to ER-associated degradation. We further demonstrate that gp96/grp94 binds selectively to the GPIX subunit, but not to gpIb␣ or gpIb. Therefore, we identify the platelet GPIX subunit of the GPIb-IX-V complex as an obligate and novel client of gp96/grp94. (Blood.
2011;117(26):7136-7144)
IntroductionThe molecular chaperone gp96, 1 which is also known as grp94 2 or HSP90b1, is the paralog of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Like other HSPs, gp96/grp94 is induced by the accumulation of misfolded proteins. 3 gp96/grp94 binds and hydrolyzes ATP, 4-6 is the most abundant protein in the ER lumen, and is ubiquitously expressed in all nucleated cells. Genetic studies have begun to clarify and expand the role of gp96/grp94 as the critical chaperone for multiple TLRs and integrins [7][8][9][10][11] and in the unfolded protein response (UPR). 12 Without gp96/grp94, the majority of integrins and TLRs are unable to fold properly and thus fail to exit the ER to traffic to the proper post-ER compartment. Using a Cre/loxP-mediated conditional deletion of gp96/grp94 in mice, we recently discovered that gp96/grp94 selectively regulates lymphopoiesis but not myelopoiesis. 10 However, it remains unclear whether gp96/grp94 chaperones other, as-yet-unidentified client proteins in the hematopoietic system.The platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V (GPIb-IX-V) complex consists of 4 transmembrane proteins: GPIb␣, GPIb, GPIX, and GPV 13 and functions as a receptor for VWF for platelet activation. 14 Defects in the biogenesis of this complex result in BSS. At the molecular and structural level, GPIb␣ and GPIb are covalently linked by a disulfide bond; these proteins are noncovalently associated with GPIX and GPV. 13,15 The GPIb-IX complex belongs to proteins of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family. 16 Like other LRR-motif-containing proteins, GPIb␣ adopts a "horseshoe-like" shape that is thought to be involved in intermolecular interactions and ligand binding. 14 In support of this notion, several mutations in the LRR domain of GPIb␣, GPIb, and GPIX result in loss of GPIb function and the developm...