Munc18b/STXBP2 is required for platelet secretion

Blood. 2012 Sep 20;120(12):2493-500. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-05-430629. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

Abstract

Platelets are vital for hemostasis because they release their granule contents in response to vascular damage. Platelet exocytosis is mediated by soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), whose interactions are governed by regulators, eg, Sec/Munc18 proteins. These proteins chaperone syntaxin t-SNAREs and are required for exocytosis. Platelets contain 3 Munc18 isoforms: Munc18a, Munc18b, and Munc18c. We report that Munc18b is the major isoform and is required for platelet secretion. Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 5 (FHL5) is caused by defects in the Munc18b/STXBP2 gene. We confirm a previous report showing that platelets from FHL5 patients have defective secretion. Serotonin, ADP/ATP, and platelet factor 4 release was profoundly affected in the 2 biallelic patients and partially in a heterozygous patient. Release of lysosomal contents was only affected in the biallelic platelets. Platelets from the FHL5 biallelic patients showed decreased Munc18b and syntaxin-11 levels were significantly reduced; other syntaxins were unaffected. Munc18b formed complexes with syntaxin-11, SNAP-23, and vesicle-associated membrane protein-8 in human platelets. Other potential secretion regulators, Munc13-4 and Rab27, were also found associated. These data demonstrate a key role for Munc18b, perhaps as a limiting factor, in platelet exocytosis and suggest that it regulates syntaxin-11.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / ultrastructure
  • Blotting, Western
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / genetics
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / metabolism*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / pathology
  • Munc18 Proteins / metabolism*
  • Platelet Aggregation / physiology
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins / metabolism
  • SNARE Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Munc18 Proteins
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • SNARE Proteins
  • STX11 protein, human