Dynamical modelling of prostaglandin signalling in platelets reveals individual receptor contributions and feedback properties

Mol Biosyst. 2013 Oct;9(10):2520-9. doi: 10.1039/c3mb70142e.

Abstract

Prostaglandins are the key-players in diminishing platelet function. They exert their effects via a variety of surface receptors that are linked to the cAMP/PKA-signalling cascade. However, less is known about the quantitative impact of the individual receptors on the underlying pathway. We present here a comprehensive ordinary differential equation-based model of the platelet cAMP pathway, including the four prostaglandin receptors IP, DP1, EP3 and EP4, the ADP receptor P2Y12, a detailed PKA-module as well as downstream-targets. Parameter estimation along with a comprehensive combination of time-course and dose-response measurements revealed the individual quantitative role of each receptor in elevating or decreasing pathway activity. A comparison of the two inhibiting receptors EP3 and P2Y12 exhibited a greater signalling strength of the EP3 receptor with implications for antithrombotic treatment. Furthermore, analysis of different model topologies revealed a direct influence of PKA on adenylate cyclase, reducing its maximum catalytic speed. Finally, we show here for the first time the dynamic behaviour of VASP-phosphorylation, which is commonly used as a marker for platelet-inhibition. We validate our model by comparing it to further experimental data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological*
  • Prostaglandins / metabolism*
  • Prostaglandins / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects

Substances

  • Prostaglandins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases