Breaking the Mold: Transcription Factors in the Anucleate Platelet and Platelet-Derived Microparticles
Year: 2015
Type: review
Abstract: Platelets are small anucleate blood cells derived from megakaryocytes. In addition to their pivotal roles in hemostasis, platelets are the smallest, yet most abundant, immune cells and regulate inflammation, immunity, and disease progression. Although platelets lack DNA, and thus no functional transcriptional activities, they are nonetheless rich sources of RNAs, possess an intact spliceosome, and are thus capable of synthesizing proteins. Previously, it was thought that platelet RNAs and translational machinery were remnants from the megakaryocyte. We now know that the initial description of platelets as "cellular fragments" is an antiquated notion, as mounting evidence suggests otherwise. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that platelet transcription factors are not vestigial remnants from megakaryocytes, but have important, if only partly understood functions. Proteins play multiple cellular roles to minimize energy expenditure for maximum cellular function; thus, the same can be expected for transcription factors. In fact, numerous transcription factors have non-genomic roles, both in platelets and in nucleated cells. Our lab and others have discovered the presence and non-genomic roles of transcription factors in platelets, such as the nuclear factor kappa β (NFκB) family of proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In addition to numerous roles in regulating platelet activation, functional transcription factors can be transferred to vascular and immune cells through platelet microparticles. This method of transcellular delivery of key immune molecules may be a vital mechanism by which platelet transcription factors regulate inflammation and immunity. At the very least, platelets are an ideal model cell to dissect out the non-genomic roles of transcription factors in nucleated cells. There is abundant evidence to suggest that transcription factors in platelets play key roles in regulating inflammatory and hemostatic functions.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funders: University of Rochester, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Awards: G1002840242, Identification and Significance of Biologic Mediators in Red Cell Concentrates, Platelet dysfunction due to HIV in ART treated Smokers, G3278472280, G4235095472, The University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Training Program in Oral Science, The University of Rochester's Clinical and Translational Science Institute, G7129769822, G7501438801, G8152436913, G8879426839, G9000069911, G9000114956, G9000153771, G9000194730, The T32 Predoctoral Training Program in Immunology (PTPI), Environmental Agents as Modulators of Disease Processes
OpenAlex ID: W2005462971