Summary
The cornerstone of hemostasis is the ability of the organism to limit the enzymatic
processes involved, thereby avoiding thrombosis. For this, anticoagulant systems in
place involve serpins, such as PAI-1 and antithrombin III, which bind to their targeted
serine proteases and limit their period of activity. We have previously identified
the serine protease furin as a platelet-derived enzyme with an intrinsic role in platelet
functions. We now report that furin enzymatic activity decreased rapidly following
platelet activation, corresponding with the increase in formation of a high 180 M
r SDS-stable complex composed of furin and the PI8 serpin. PI8 is shown to be a platelet-derived
constituent, synthesized by megakaryocytes and stored in platelets prior to its release.
Immunoprecipitation and purification of the PI8-furin complex confirmed their direct
interaction and indicates that one of the roles of PI8 is to inhibit furin enzymatic
activity. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate the inhibitory capacity of exogenous
PI8 in platelet aggregation assays. The finding that PI8 is released by platelets
and controls functional responses suggests a role for this serpin in platelet-regulated
pathophysiological responses.
Keywords
Proteinase inhibitor 8 - serpin - furin - furin inhibitor - platelets