Munc18-syntaxin complexes and exocytosis in human platelets

J Biol Chem. 2003 May 30;278(22):19627-33. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M212465200. Epub 2003 Mar 20.

Abstract

The Sec1-Munc18 (SM) proteins are required for cellular exocytosis, but their mechanistic function remains poorly understood. We examined SM-syntaxin complexes in human platelets, which are terminally differentiated, anuclear cells that secrete the contents of their intracellular granules through syntaxin 2- and syntaxin 4-dependent mechanisms. Munc18a, Munc18b, and Munc18c were detected in human platelets by immunoblotting and/or PCR. The SM proteins and syntaxin 2 were found in the membrane and cytosolic fractions of cells, whereas syntaxin 4 was detected only in the membrane. Platelet membranes contain Munc18c-syntaxin 4 complexes, but minimal if any Munc18c-syntaxin 2 complexes were found. No significant amounts of Munc18a or Munc18b complexes were seen with either syntaxin. Munc18c-syntaxin 4 complexes were dissociated when cells were activated to secrete. Two potential inhibitors of Munc18c-syntaxin 4 complexes were generated to examine whether complex dissociation may lead to exocytosis. Peptides that mimic the projected intermolecular contact sites of Munc18c with syntaxin enhanced Ca2+-triggered dense granule exocytosis in permeabilized cells. Similarly, an anti-Munc18c monoclonal antibody that inhibited the Munc18c-syntaxin complex potently amplified Ca2+-induced platelet granule secretion. In summary, Munc18 proteins bind to specific syntaxin isoforms in platelets despite the presence of other potential binding partners. Acute inhibition of the SM-syntaxin complex promotes Ca2+-induced exocytosis, suggesting that complex formation per se has a regulatory effect on triggered secretion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Exocytosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / blood*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Munc18 Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Munc18 Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STXBP1 protein, human
  • STXBP2 protein, human
  • Stxbp2 protein, mouse
  • Stxbp3 protein, mouse
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins