Abstract
Ca2+ is a powerful inhibitor (Ki is congruent to 16 muM) of basal and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing); EC 4.6.1.1] activity in membranes obtained from homogenized human platelets. Ca2+ (but not the ionophore A23,187) decreased V(max) of the reaction without an effect on the Ks for ATP. Neither ATP nor PGE1 affected Ki for Ca2+. In intact platelets A23,187 induced Ca2+ influx and markedly inhibited PGE1-stimulated rise in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels. Guanylate cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing); EC 4.6.1.2] activity was mainly found in the soluble fraction (greater than 90%). Both soluble and membrane bound enzymes were stimulated by Mn2+ and Ca2+ and inhibited by Zn2+. Adenylate and guanylate cyclase activity were both present in a membrane fraction cyclase activity were both present in a membrane fraction which contained Ca2+ activated ATPase activity, and accumulated Ca2+ from the medium in the presence of ATP and oxalate. Other evidence indicates that these membranes originated in large part from the dense tubular system of the platelets. It is proposed that concurrent inhibition of adenylate cyclase and stimulation of guanylate cyclase facilitates the direct initiating effect of Ca2+ on platelet secretion and aggregation.