Summary
A critical aspect of hemostasis is the release of clot-forming components from the
three intra-platelet stores: dense core granules, α-granules and lysosomes. Exocytosis
from these granules is mediated by soluble (SNAPs and NSF) and integralmembrane proteins
(v- and t-SNAREs).Three SM (Sec1/Munc18) proteins are present in mouse platelets (Munc18a,
18b and 18c) and each potentially regulates exocytosis via modulation of their cognate syntaxin binding partner. To define the molecular machinery
required for platelet exocytosis, we analyzed platelets from Munc18c heterozygous
knockout mice. These platelets show a decrease in Munc18c but no apparent reduction
in other secretory machinery components. No differences in the rates of aggregation
or of secretion of [3H]-5HT (dense core granules), platelet factor 4 (α-granules),
or hexosaminidase (lysosomes) were detected between platelets from Munc18c heterozygous
knockout or wild-type mice. The platelets also show normal morphology. Contrary to
a predicted requirement for Munc18c in platelet secretion, data reported here show
that reducing Munc18c levels does not substantially alter platelet function. These
data show that despite Munc18c’s role in platelet secretion, the lack of a secretion
defect may be attributed to compensation by other Munc18 isoforms or that one allele
is sufficient to maintain secretion under standard conditions.
Keywords
Munc18 - syntaxin - platelets - SNARE - secretion