ERK activation by Ca2+ ionophores depends on Ca2+ entry in lymphocytes but not in platelets, and does not conduct membrane scrambling

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2008 Nov;65(23):3861-71. doi: 10.1007/s00018-008-8339-0.

Abstract

Rapid Ca2+-dependent phospholipid (PL) reorganization (scrambling) at the plasma membrane is a mechanism common to hematopoietic cells exposing procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS). The aim of this research was to determine whether activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was required for PL scrambling, based on a single report analyzing both responses induced by Ca2+ ionophores in megakaryoblastic HEL cells. Ca2+ ionophore-stimulated ERK phosphorylation was induced in platelets without external Ca2+, whereas exogenous Ca2+ entry was crucial for ERK activation in Jurkat T cells. In both cells, membrane scrambling only occurred following Ca2+ entry and was not blocked by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, ERK proteins are strongly phosphorylated in transformed B lymphoblastic cell lines, which do not expose PS in their resting state. Overall, the data demonstrated that ERK activation and membrane scrambling are independent mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Ionophores / metabolism*
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Phospholipids / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Ionophores
  • Phospholipids
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Calcium