Abstract
Annexins are a family of calcium-binding proteins that have been implicated in a wide range of intracellular processes. We have previously reported that stimulation of platelets with thrombin can induce the association of intracellular annexin V with membranes in two distinct ways. First, in such a way that it can be eluted from the membrane with EGTA and secondly in a manner such that it is tightly bound to the membrane and requires the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 for its solubilization. We report that exposure of platelets to the calcium ionophore A23187 mimics the relocation induced by stimulation with thrombin. In separate experiments we demonstrate that a calcium ion concentration [Ca2+] of 0.8 microM is sufficient for maximum binding of the EGTA-resistant form to membranes. In contrast a higher [Ca2+] was required to induce maximal binding of the annexin V which could be extracted with EGTA. We demonstrate that following temperature-induced phase separation in Triton X-114, the membrane-associated annexin V partitions predominantly into the aqueous phase. We also show that the isoelectric point of annexin V does not change following membrane association. These observations suggest that a covalent modification, of annexin V itself, is not responsible for its association with the membrane. Millimolar [Ca2+] is required for maximal binding of purified annexin V to phospholipid vesicles. We show that binding to phospholipids can be reversed entirely by subsequent treatment with EGTA. This suggests that the EGTA-resistant form of annexin V is binding to a membrane component other than phosphatidylserine. Annexin V has previously been shown to bind to protein kinase C. Relocation of annexin V to membranes paralleled that of protein kinase C in thrombin-stimulated cells but not in cells treated with A23187, suggesting that these proteins are not functionally linked in platelet activation. Using bifunctional cross-linking reagents we have identified an 85 kDa complex containing annexin V. This may represent an association between annexin V and an annexin V-binding protein with a molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa.