SHIP1 Controls Internal Platelet Contraction and αIIbβ3 Integrin Dynamics in Early Platelet Activation

The Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) is known to dephosphorylate PtdIns(3,4,5)P-3 into PtdIns(3,4)P-2 and to interact with several signaling proteins though its docking functions. It has been shown to negatively regulate platelet adhesion and spreading on a fibrinogen surface and to positively regulate thrombus growth. In the present study, we have investigated its role during the early phase of platelet activation. Using confocal-based morphometric analysis, we found that SHIP1 is involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal organization and internal contractile activity in thrombin-activated platelets. The absence of SHIP1 has no significant impact on thrombin-induced Akt or Erk1/2 activation, but it selectively affects the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway and myosin IIA relocalization to the cytoskeleton. SHIP1 interacts with the spectrin-based membrane skeleton, and its absence induces a loss of sustained association of integrins to this network together with a decrease in alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin clustering following thrombin stimulation. This alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin dynamics requires the contractile cytoskeleton under the control of SHIP1. RhoA activation, internal platelet contraction, and membrane skeleton integrin association were insensitive to the inhibition of PtdIns(3,4,5)P-3 synthesis or SHIP1 phosphatase activity, indicating a role for the docking properties of SHIP1 in these processes. Altogether, our data reveal a lipid-independent function for SHIP1 in the regulation of the contractile cytoskeleton and integrin dynamics in platelets.

Automated summary

In this study, the role of SHIP1 in platelet activation was investigated. SHIP1 was found to regulate cytoskeletal organization and internal contractile activity in thrombin-activated platelets, and it interacted with the spectrin-based membrane skeleton. The absence of SHIP1 resulted in a loss of sustained association of integrins with the membrane skeleton and a decrease in α(IIb)β(3) integrin clustering.