Characterization of the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor P-Rex1 in platelets
2011

Study of P-Rex1 in Platelets

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Aslan Joseph E, Spencer Alex M, Loren Cassandra P, Pang Jiaqing, Welch Heidi C, Greenberg Daniel L, McCarty Owen JT

Primary Institution: Oregon Health & Science University

Hypothesis

P-Rex1 may function as an important Rac activator in response to stimulation of PARs and other platelet GPCRs.

Conclusion

P-Rex1 is not required for Rac1-mediated platelet activation, suggesting its role may be more specific to immune and tumor cell processes.

Supporting Evidence

  • P-Rex1 is expressed in platelets and associated with Rac1.
  • Platelets from P-Rex1-deficient mice responded similarly to wild type platelets when exposed to platelet agonists.
  • The study used mass spectrometry to identify P-Rex1 as a Rac1-associated protein.

Takeaway

The study found that a protein called P-Rex1 is not needed for platelets to activate, which means it might be more important in other types of cells.

Methodology

Mass spectrometry was used to identify Rac1-associated proteins from platelet lysates, and western blotting confirmed the presence of P-Rex1.

Participant Demographics

Platelets were purified from healthy volunteers.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1750-2187-6-11

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