Regulator of G-protein signaling 18 (RGS18) is a GTPase-activating protein for the G-␣-q and G-␣-i subunits of heterotrimeric Gproteins that turns off signaling by G-protein coupled receptors. RGS18 is highly expressed in platelets. In the present study, we show that the 14-3-3␥ protein binds to phosphorylated serines 49 and 218 of RGS18. Platelet activation by thrombin, thromboxane A2, or ADP stimulates the association of 14-3-3 and RGS18, probably by increasing the phosphorylation of serine 49. In contrast, treatment of platelets with prostacyclin and nitric oxide, which trigger inhibitory cyclic nucleotide signaling involving cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKGI), induces the phosphorylation of serine 216 of RGS18 and the detachment of 14-3-3. Serine 216 phosphorylation is able to block 14-3-3 binding to RGS18 even in the presence of thrombin, thromboxane A2, or ADP. 14-3-3-deficient RGS18 is more active compared with 14-3-3-bound RGS18, leading to a more pronounced inhibition of thrombin-induced release of calcium ions from intracellular stores. Therefore, PKA-and PKGI-mediated detachment of 14-3-3 activates RGS18 to block Gq-dependent calcium signaling. These findings indicate cross-talk between platelet activation and inhibition pathways at the level of RGS18 and Gq.
IntroductionIn healthy vasculature, endothelial cells lining the blood vessels constantly produce and release prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) and nitric oxide (NO) into the vessel lumen. The interaction of endothelial factors with platelets plays a fundamental role in controlling hemostasis and in maintaining platelets in a resting state. Platelet inhibition by both PGI 2 and NO has been well established. The signaling pathways of both molecules result in an elevation of cyclic nucleotides that activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKGI). These in turn phosphorylate an unknown number of substrate proteins, resulting in reduced release of calcium ions (Ca 2ϩ ) from intracellular stores and reduced activation of G-proteins such as Rap1, ultimately leading to a block of platelet adhesion, granule release, and aggregation. PKA and PKGI have overlapping substrate specificities, which may explain the synergistic role of the 2 pathways. Few substrates have been established in platelets, among them Rap1GAP2, a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) of the small G-protein Rap1, as we have shown previously. 1 Other substrates include vasodilator-stimulated phospho-protein (VASP), heatshock protein 27 (HSP27), and LIM and SH3 domain protein (LASP), all of which regulate actin dynamics. 2,3 The IP 3 -receptor and the IP 3 -receptor-associated G-kinase substrate (IRAG) are the only PKA and/or PKGI substrates that have been shown to mediate cAMP/cGMP effects on intracellular Ca 2ϩ release. [2][3][4] Limited data are available on the specific substrates and signaling events that translate PKA/G substrate phosphorylation into platelet inhibition.Conversely, bindin...