Summary
The platelet cytoplasm contains approximately half of the factor XIII (FXIII) transglutaminase
content circulating in blood, yet the function of cytoplasmic FXIII is poorly understood.
This study investigated functions of platelet FXIII in internal platelet processes
by studying the interactions of FXIII with platelet cytoskeletal proteins. FXIII was
present in cytoskeletal fractions of platelet lysate separated by centrifugation.
When cytoskeletal fractions were immobilized on nitrocellulose membranes, thrombin-activated
rFXIII (rFXIIIa*) or calcium iontreated rFXIII (rFXIIIa°) bound to some of these proteins,
whereas untreated rFXIII did not. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy, an actin polymerization-dependent
transient translocation of FXIII from a diffuse homogeneous distribution throughout
the cytoplasm to the platelet periphery was observed upon platelet activation, suggesting
an association with cytoskeletal proteins. Transglutaminase activity increased in
cytoskeletal fractions of activated versus non-activated platelets. Immunoblotting
analysis of platelet cytoskeletal fractions identified filamin and vinculin as being
crosslinked upon platelet activation.
Keywords
Platelet activation - factor XIII - filamin - vinculin - crosslinking