Qualitative and quantitative comparison of cyclic phosphatidic acid and its related lipid species in rat serum using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem-mass spectrometry.

Cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA) is a simple lipid containing a fatty acid attached at the sn-1 position and a cyclic phosphate ring structure at the sn-2 and sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone. The pharmacological effects of cPA have been demonstrated in several diseases such as cancer and neuropathic pain; however, the composition of the molecular species of cPA in relative to other lipid species in biological samples is still unclear. Recently, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has demonstrated the ability to perform lipidomic analyses of biological samples. In the present study, we developed the quantitative measurement of cPA and its related lipid species, such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), in rat serum using HILIC equipped with tandem-mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The lipid analysis using HILIC-MS/MS system demonstrated high linearity and reproducibility. The modified Bligh and Dyer method using citric acid was showed high efficiency on the extraction of cPA and LPA without contamination of artificial products. In rat serum, cPA and LPC contained more saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid than unsaturated fatty acids, whereas LPA and phosphatidylcholine more contained unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids. The analytical methods for measuring cPA and its related lipid species in the present study will aid the analysis of their metabolism.

Defective functionality of small, dense HDL3 subpopulations in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: Relevance of enrichment in lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid and serum amyloid A.

BACKGROUND: Low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are typical of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and predict risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The potential relationships between modifications in the molecular composition and the functionality of HDL subpopulations in acute MI however remain indeterminate. METHODS AND RESULTS: ST segment elevation MI (STEMI) patients were recruited within 24h after diagnosis (n=16) and featured low HDL-C (-31%, p<0.05) and acute-phase inflammation (determined as marked elevations in C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A (SAA) and interleukin-6) as compared to age- and sex-matched controls (n=10). STEMI plasma HDL and its subpopulations (HDL2b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 3c) displayed attenuated cholesterol efflux capacity from THP-1 cells (up to -32%, p<0.01, on a unit phospholipid mass basis) vs. CONTROLS: Plasma HDL and small, dense HDL3b and 3c subpopulations from STEMI patients exhibited reduced anti-oxidative activity (up to -68%, p<0.05, on a unit HDL mass basis). HDL subpopulations in STEMI were enriched in two proinflammatory bioactive lipids, lysophosphatidylcholine (up to 3.0-fold, p<0.05) and phosphatidic acid (up to 8.4-fold, p<0.05), depleted in apolipoprotein A-I (up to -23%, p<0.05) and enriched in SAA (up to +10.2-fold, p<0.05); such changes were most marked in the HDL3b subfraction. In vitro HDL enrichment in both lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid exerted deleterious effects on HDL functionality. CONCLUSIONS: In the early phase of STEMI, HDL particle subpopulations display marked, concomitant alterations in both lipidome and proteome which are implicated in impaired HDL functionality. Such modifications may act synergistically to confer novel deleterious biological activities to STEMI HDL. SIGNIFICANCE: Our present data highlight complex changes in the molecular composition and functionality of HDL particle subpopulations in the acute phase of STEMI, and for the first time, reveal that concomitant modifications in both the lipidome and proteome contribute to functional deficiencies in cholesterol efflux and antioxidative activities of HDL particles. These findings may provide new biomarkers and new insights in therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk in this clinical setting where such net deficiency in HDL function, multiplied by low circulating HDL concentrations, can be expected to contribute to accelerated atherogenesis.

An efficient hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography separation of 7 phospholipid classes based on a diol column.

A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) - ion trap mass spectrometry method was developed for separation of a wide range of phospholipids. A diol column which is often used with normal phase chromatography was adapted to separate different phospholipid classes in HILIC mode using a mobile phase system consisting of acetonitrile, water, ammonium formate and formic acid. An efficient between-class separation of seven phospholipid classes including phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinostol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine was successfully achieved within 14 min using a gradient elution which starts with 90% of organic solvent and ends with 70% of organic solvent. 53 mM formic acid (in both organic phase and aqueous phase) and 60mM ammonium formate (only in aqueous phase) were used as mobile phase modifier. The relatively high amount of ammonium formate was essential to obtain well-shaped peaks of each phospholipid class, especially phosphatidylserines; actually, no negative effect due to ammonium formate was observed for electrospray-mass spectrometry detection in real-life samples. Good chromatographic separation between different lipid classes was obtained (Rs, from 0.73 to 4.97) and well-shaped peaks (tailing factor, from 0.98 to 1.20) were obtained. The developed method was fully validated and the satisfactory performance characteristics such as linearity (R(2), 0.990-0.999), retention time stability (RSD<1%), within day repeatability (RSD, 5-13%), between day variation (RSD, 7-14%) and recoveries (99.6-115.5%) indicated the gradient HILIC method was appropriate for profiling of plasma phospholipids. The method was successfully applied to separate phospholipids extracts from human plasma, mouse plasma and rat plasma.

Procoagulant and prothrombotic activation of human erythrocytes by phosphatidic acid.

Increased phosphatidic acid (PA) and phospholipase D (PLD) activity are frequently observed in various disease states including cancers, diabetes, sepsis, and thrombosis. Previously, PA has been regarded as just a precursor for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and diacylglycerol (DAG). However, increasing evidence has suggested independent biological activities of PA itself. In the present study, we demonstrated that PA can enhance thrombogenic activities in human erythrocytes through phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In freshly isolated human erythrocytes, treatment of PA or PLD induced PS exposure. PA-induced PS exposure was not attenuated by inhibitors of phospholipase A(2) or phosphatidate phosphatase, which converts PA to LPA or DAG. An intracellular Ca(2+) increase and the resultant activation of Ca(2+)-dependent PKC-alpha appeared to underlie the PA-induced PS exposure through the activation of scramblase. A marginal decrease in flippase activity was also noted, contributing further to the maintenance of exposed PS on the outer membrane. PA-treated erythrocytes showed strong thrombogenic activities, as demonstrated by increased thrombin generation, endothelial cell adhesion, and erythrocyte aggregation. Importantly, these procoagulant activations by PA were confirmed in a rat in vivo venous thrombosis model, where PA significantly enhanced thrombus formation. In conclusion, these results suggest that PA can induce thrombogenic activities in erythrocytes through PS exposure, which can increase thrombus formation and ultimately contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Quantitative determination of cyclic phosphatidic acid in human serum by LC/ESI/MS/MS.

An LC/ESI/MS/MS method for cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA) quantification in serum is established in the present report. The limit of quantitation of the assay reaches low nanomolar level in human serum and the CV% are within 10%. Using this method, we successfully quantify the levels of two cPA species, 16:0 and 18:1, in human serum. We find that the concentrations of 16:0 cPA in the serum of normal subjects and post-surgery ovarian cancer patients are significantly higher than its corresponding concentration in pre-surgery ovarian cancer patients, supporting the observation that cPA has anti-cancer activity. Another discovery is that the addition of strong acids (such as hydrochloric acid) in human serum may lead to the production of artificial cPA. Therefore, strong acids should be avoided in the extraction of cPA present in a complex matrix. Based on this observation, a new lipid extraction method was developed and used to extract cPA. The extraction recovery is close to 80%, guaranteeing an accurate quantification of cPA by LC/ESI/MS/MS can be performed.

Lysophosphatidic acid increases phosphatidic acid formation, phospholipase D activity and degranulation by human neutrophils.

I-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate, a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), in serum is a biologically active lipid and has multiple functions depending on the cell types. Several studies have shown that LPA stimulates phospholipase D (PLD) activity in fibroblasts and prostate cancer cells in culture. PLD plays a central role in regulating neutrophil functions. One of the functions of the lipid product, phosphatidic acid (PA), of PLD action in neutrophils is to promote degranulation. In the present study, we examined the effect of LPA on PLD activity and degranulation by human neutrophils. The results show that exogenous LPA increased PA formation, PLD activity and degranulation by human neutrophils in a time and concentration dependent manner. These findings suggest that LPA released from activated platelets during blood clotting may participate in bacterial killing and wound healing process. On the other hand, augmented LPA production might be involved in inflammation, causing damage of the host tissues.

Production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and phosphatidic acid in platelet rafts: evidence for a critical role of cholesterol-enriched domains in human platelet activation.

Glycosphingolipid- and cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains, called rafts, can be isolated from several mammalian cells, including platelets. These microdomains appear to play a critical role in signal transduction in several hematopoietic cells, but their function in blood platelets remains unknown. Herein, we first characterized the lipid composition, including the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, of human platelet rafts. Then their role in platelet activation process was investigated. Interestingly, thrombin stimulation led to morphological changes of rafts correlating with the production of lipid second messengers in these microdomains. Indeed, we could demonstrate for the first time that a large part of the stimulation-dependent production of phosphatidic acid and phosphoinositide 3-kinase products was concentrated in rafts. Moreover, cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin disrupted platelet rafts, dramatically decreased the agonist-dependent production of these lipid signaling molecules, and impaired platelet secretion and aggregation. Cholesterol repletion restored the physiological platelet responses. Altogether our data indicate that rafts are highly dynamic platelet membrane structures involved in critical signaling mechanisms linked to the production of lipid second messengers. The demonstration of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate production in rafts may have general implications for the understanding of the role of this key second messenger found ubiquitously in higher eucaryotic cells.

Thrombopoietin potentiates collagen receptor signaling in platelets through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway.

Collagen activates platelets through a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway, involving phospholipase Cgamma2. Functional responses such as aggregation and secretion induced by collagen are potentiated by preincubation with thrombopoietin (TPO). In this study, we show that collagen and thrombopoietin activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathway and that this contributes to their respective actions. The structurally distinct inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, wortmannin, and LY294002, completely inhibit formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate by collagen. This leads to a substantial reduction in the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, 2 indices of PLC activity, and the consequent inhibition of intracellular Ca(++) [Ca(++)](i), aggregation and secretion. Potentiation of the collagen response by TPO is prevented in the presence of wortmannin and LY294002. However, when the 2 PI 3-kinase inhibitors are given after the addition of TPO but before the collagen, recovery of potentiation is observed. This suggests that potentiation is mediated through activation of PI 3-kinase. TPO stimulates aggregation of platelets from a low percentage of donors and this is also blocked by wortmannin. These results suggest that the PI 3-kinase pathway plays an important role in signaling by collagen and in the priming action of TPO.

The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibits phorbol ester-induced platelet activation.

Activation of phospholipase C (PLC) is a central component of the signal transduction process in numerous cells, including platelets. U73122 has been widely used as a selective PLC inhibitor. In the present study, the effects of U73122 on platelet function have been further examined. Platelets were stimulated with collagen (via PLC-gamma), the stable thromboxane mimetic U46619 (via PLC-beta), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) via protein kinase C (PKC). Consistent with inhibition of PLC, U73122 inhibited platelet aggregation and [3H]-serotonin release in response to collagen and U46619 in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, U73122 blocked collagen-induced release of thromboxane A2. U73122 also inhibited U46619-induced [32P]phosphatidic acid production and phosphorylation of the major PKC substrate, pleckstrin. U73122 had no effect on PMA-induced pleckstrin phosphorylation, [3H]-serotonin release, or intracellular vacuole formation. However, U73122 did inhibit PMA-induced platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding. Overall, these results suggest that U73122, in addition to its inhibition of PLC, also affects PKC-independent events that interfere with platelet aggregation.

Elevation of cyclic AMP decreases phosphoinositide turnover and inhibits thrombin-induced secretion in human platelets.

Elevation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in platelets inhibits agonist-induced, G protein-mediated responses and activation of polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) by ill-defined mechanism(s). Signal transduction steps downstream of PLC are inhibited by elevated cAMP, suggesting an inhibitory effect of cAMP, via protein kinase A, on PLC. In [32P]i-prelabeled platelets, forskolin increased intracellular cAMP (104 nmol/1011 cells at 10-5 M forskolin) and [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (Delta[32P]PIP) (30% at 10-7-10-6 M forskolin). The thrombin-induced (0.1 U/ml) increase in production of [32P]PA, 'overshoots' in [32P]PIP and [32P]PIP2 ([32P]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate), and the increase in [32P]PI and secretion of ADP+ATP were abolished by forskolin (10-7 M). Forskolin stimulated total [32P]Pi uptake in resting platelets (48%), increased 32P incorporation into PIP (110%), and inhibited 32P incorporation into PI (50%). The latter inhibition was most likely considerably greater due to the forskolin-induced stimulation of [32P]Pi uptake. The changes in radioactive PA, PIP and PIP2 are regarded as being proportional with their masses in the prelabeled platelets, while the increase in PI (phosphatidylinositol) is regarded as a change in specific radioactivity, and hence in its synthesis. The results suggest that cAMP elevation inhibits the flux in the polyphosphoinositide cycle through both inhibition of PIP 5-kinase and PI synthesis. The inverse relation between forskolin-produced DeltaPIP and [32P]PA production suggests that the PLC reaction is inhibited by elevated cAMP through reduction of substrate (PIP2) resynthesis, and not by inhibition of the PLC enzyme.

Platelets from eclampsia patients have reduced membrane microviscosity and lower activities of the signalling enzymes.

It has been shown that platelets from patients suffering from eclampsia are hyporesponsive to stimulation by agonists like thrombin and ADP. Although platelet hyporeactivity contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease process, the cause for this is still not known. Platelet aggregation and secretion are membrane-based phenomena initiated by the processes of cell signalling. Hence, to understand the mechanisms underlying platelet hyporeactivity in eclampsia, membrane microviscosity and activities of the signalling enzymes were measured in human platelets stimulated with thrombin. Membrane fluidity was determined from the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene incorporated in cell membranes. Activities of phospholipase C and protein kinase C in stimulated platelets were assessed from the extents of phosphatidic acid generation and pleckstrin phosphorylation, respectively. Platelet membrane microviscosity in eclampsia (2.3 +/- 0.2 SEM, n = 5) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in the matched gravid control subjects (3.1 +/- 0.2, n = 4). In eclampsia, generation of phosphatidic acid and phosphorylation of pleckstrin were decreased by 25% (P < 0.05, n = 3) and 35% (P < 0.05, n = 3), respectively, after 60 sec of platelet stimulation. It was concluded that the hyporeactive platelets obtained from eclampsia have more fluid membranes and diminished activities of phospholipase C and protein kinase C. In summary, this study shows that alterations in membrane fluidity and activities of the signalling enzymes (phospholipase C and protein kinase C) may contribute to the diminished platelet responsiveness observed in the eclamptic condition.

Determination of phosphatidylethanol in blood from alcoholic males using high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering or electrospray mass spectrometric detection.

The 'pathologic' phospholipid, phosphatidylethanol (PEth), formed only in the presence of ethanol, was determined in extracts of human blood using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) or electrospray (ES) mass spectrometry. Separation was performed using a diol column and a normal-phase binary gradient system. Decreasing concentrations of PEth (15 to 1 nmol/ml blood) could be detected by ELSD in three male alcoholics, up to 3 weeks after the beginning of an alcohol-free period. Using ES, levels down to 100 pmol/ml blood was detected. The molecular species of PEth were similar to those of phosphatidylcholine found in the same blood sample. The method provides a rapid quantitative and qualitative determination of PEth in blood. The limits of detection were 200 pmol (approximately 125 ng) using ELSD and 140 fmol (approximately 100 pg) using ES, total amounts injected. ON

Dual parallel mass spectrometers for analysis of sphingolipid, glycerophospholipid and plasmalogen molecular species.

Analysis of phospholipids was performed using a liquid chromatographic separation with two mass spectrometers in parallel providing electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) data simultaneously from a triple quadrupole instrument and a single quadrupole instrument, respectively. The output from UV-Vis and evaporative light scattering detectors were also acquired by the two mass spectrometers, respectively, for four detectors overall. This arrangement was used to identify and calculate area percents for molecular species of dihydrosphingomyelin (DHS) and sphingomyelin (SPM) in commercially available bovine brain SPM, in human plasma extract and in porcine lens extract. Molecular species of phosphatidylethanolamine and its plasmalogen, and phosphatidylcholine and its plasmalogen were identified and semi-quantitative analysis performed. Commercially available bovine brain SPM was found to contain 11.5% DHS and 88.5% SPM. The only DHS molecular species identified in human plasma was 16:0-DHS, at or below 1% of the sphingolipid content. Porcine lens membranes were found to contain 14.4% DHS and 85.6% SPM. Other findings reported here include: (1) phospholipids were found to undergo dimerization in the electrospray source, giving masses representing combinations of species present. (2) Triacylglycerols gave usable mass spectra under electrospray ionization conditions, as well as under APCI-MS conditions. (3) Triacylglycerols gave ammonium adducts as base peaks in their APCI mass spectra, which reduced fragmentation and increased the proportions of molecular ions. (4) Mass spectra were obtained for phospholipids which underwent both protonation and sodium adduct formation in different chromatographic runs.

Improved separation and determination of phospholipids in animal tissues employing solid phase extraction.

Separation of five glycerophospholipids having different polar groups, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin (CL), was investigated by means of solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. First, the phospholipids were retained in an aminopropyl-bonded phase (NH2) cartridge and subsequently eluted as neutral (PC and PE) and acidic (PS, PG and CL) glycerophospholipid fractions. Secondly, a combination of silica gel (SI) cartridge and NH2 cartridge was employed to separate five glycerophospholipids. The polarity of the eluent was responsible for neutral glycerophospholipid separation. Concerning acidic glycerophospholipids, the separation of PG and CL from PS depended mainly on the pH of the eluents, and the separation of PG and CL was affected by the solvent, depending on eluent polarities. Favorable recovery (not less than 95%, for five authentic phospholipids, 10-100 micrograms each) and repeatability (sigma = 2.3 for 10 micrograms ranges) were attained by the present method. This method of separation was applicable to the analysis of phospholipids in biological samples.

Isotype distribution and clinical significance of antibodies to cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine in systemic lupus erythematosus: prospective analysis of a series of 92 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and correlation with clinical manifestations of the IgG and IgM isotypes of antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL), phosphatidic acid (aPA), phosphatidylinositol (aPI) and phosphatidylserine (aPS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory features of 92 consecutive unselected patients with SLE were prospectively studied over two years. aCL, aPA, aPI and aPS were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: aCL were detected in 34 (37%) patients, aPA in 26 (28%), aPI in 22 (24%), and aPS in 29 (32%). A significant association was found between the appearance of thrombosis and the presence of IgG aCL (p < 0.001) and IgG aPS (p < 0.05). A significant association was also found between thrombocytopenia and the presence of IgG aCL (p < 0.001), IgG aPA (p < 0.01), IgG aPI (p < 0.05), and IgG aPS (p < 0.001). The development of hemolytic anemia was associated with the detection of IgM aCL (p < 0.001), IgM aPA (p < 0.05), IgM aPI (p < 0.001), and IgM aPS (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We found a relatively high prevalence of aCL, aPA, aPI and aPS in our SLE population and confirmed the presence of a correlation between the IgG isotype of these antibodies and thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, and also between the IgM isotype and hemolytic anemia. These results demonstrate the variety of antiphospholipid antibodies that can be detected in SLE patients, as well as their association with the clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Blood phosphatidylethanol as a marker of alcohol abuse: levels in alcoholic males during withdrawal.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is formed only in the presence of ethanol, via the action of phospholipase D. We studied PEth in blood as a possible marker of alcohol abuse in 15 male alcoholics admitted for detoxification. Blood was drawn on the first day after admission and up to 28 days thereafter. PEth in whole blood was 13.2 +/- 2.2 mumol liter-1 (mean +/- SE) at first sampling and remained detectable up to 14 days after admission. Blood ethanol was 0 on the morning after admission. The time courses of PEth disappearance varied among individuals. No PEth could be found in blood of control persons who had abstained from ethanol for 4 days. Levels of PEth and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase did not correlate. Its high specificity and prolonged detectability suggest PEth in blood as a marker of recent alcohol abuse.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the metabolism of arachidonic acid in human neutrophils.

Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been shown to induce marked changes in the physiology/pathophysiology of cells, little is known about the effects of this cytokine on cellular lipid metabolism. In this study we examined the effects of TNF-alpha on the metabolism of eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid, (20:4(n-6)) in human neutrophils. Pretreatment of neutrophils with TNF-alpha caused a rapid increase in the incorporation of [1-14C]20:4(n-6) substrate into cellular phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid and a slower rise in the incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Radioactivity was exclusively associated with the sn-2 position of each molecule. The labeling pattern of other phospholipids, neutral lipids, and eicosanoids was unchanged. TNF-alpha had no effect on the distribution of radioactivity in 1-acyl, 1-alkyl, and 1-alk-1-enyl subclasses of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglyceride. Chain elongation, beta-oxidation and desaturation of [1-14C]20:4(n-6) were not modulated by the cytokine. TNF-alpha stimulated the release of [3H]20:4(n-6) from prelabeled neutrophils and also induced the production of endogenous unesterified 20:4(n-6). Concomitantly, treatment with the cytokine caused a decrease in the mass of cellular phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine and an increase in the levels of corresponding lysophospholipids, but had no significant effect on sphingomyelin, phosphatidic acid, diglyceride, and other lipids. TNF-alpha did not evoke neutrophils prelabeled with [3H]lyso platelet activating factor to produce [3H]phosphatidylethanol, [3H]phosphatidic acid, or [3H]diglyceride in the presence of ethanol, indicating that phospholipases D and C were not activated. Treatment of the leukocytes with the cytokine had no effect on the activity of neutral and acidic sphingomyelinase. These data collectively provide evidence that TNF-alpha specifically induces the turnover of neutrophil phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are enriched with 20:4(n-6) by the activation of phospholipase A2.

Chelerythrine inhibits the secretory response of human blood platelets without specifically inhibiting protein kinase C.

Chelerythrine (chloride) has previously been documented to be a potent and selective inhibitor of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, it was shown that 10 microM chelerythrine completely inhibited serotonin secretion and partially inhibited phosphatidic acid formation in human blood platelets activated by thrombin (1U/ml). However, there was no effect on PKC activity as assessed by the level of phosphorylation of the 47K protein. Therefore, chelerythrine has been shown not to be a specific inhibitor of PKC. Without specifically affecting PKC activity, it is nevertheless capable of completely inhibiting platelet secretion, indicating that it may affect the signal transduction pathway responsible for platelet secretion at a point downstream or independent of PKC.