Primary platelet signaling cascades and integrin-mediated signaling control ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) 6-GTP levels during platelet activation and aggregation.

Previous studies showed that ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) is important for platelet function; however, little is known about which signaling events regulate this small GTP-binding protein. Arf6-GTP was monitored in platelets stimulated with a number of agonists (TRAP, thrombin, convulxin, collagen, PMA, thapsigargin, or A23187) and all led to a time-dependent decrease in Arf6-GTP. ADP and U46619 were without effect. Using inhibitors, it was shown that the decrease of Arf6-GTP is a direct consequence of known signaling cascades. Upon stimulation via PAR receptors, Arf6-GTP loss could be blocked by treatment with U-73122, BAPTA/AM, Ro-31-8220, or Gö6976, indicating requirements for phospholipase C, calcium, and protein kinase C (PKC) alpha/beta, respectively. The Arf6-GTP decrease in convulxin-stimulated platelets showed similar requirements and was also sensitive to piceatannol, wortmannin, and LY294002, indicating additional requirements for Syk and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The convulxin-induced decrease was sensitive to both PKCalpha/beta and delta inhibitors. Outside-in signaling, potentially via integrin engagement, caused a second wave of signaling that affected Arf6. Inclusion of RGDS peptides or EGTA, during activation, led to a biphasic response; Arf6-GTP levels partially recovered upon continued incubation. A similar response was seen in beta3 integrin-null platelets. These data show that Arf6-GTP decreases in response to known signaling pathways associated with PAR and GPVI. They further reveal a second, aggregation-dependent, process that dampens Arf6-GTP recovery. This study demonstrates that the nucleotide state of Arf6 in platelets is regulated during the initial phases of activation and during the later stages of aggregation.