Role of the ERK pathway in the activation of store-mediated calcium entry in human platelets

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), are common participants in a broad variety of signal transduction pathways. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of ERKs in human platelets and their activation by the physiological agonist thrombin. Here we report the involvement of the ERK cascade in store-mediated Ca2+ entry in human platelets. Treatment of dimethyl-bis-(o-aminophenoxy) -ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-loaded platelets with thapsigargin to deplete the intracellular Ca2+ stores resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent activation of ERK1 and ERK2. Incubation with either U0126 or PD 184352, specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), prevented thapsigargin-induced ERK activation. Furthermore, U0126 and PD 184352 reduced Ca2+ entry stimulated by thapsigargin or thrombin, in a concentration-dependent manner. The role of ERK in store-mediated Ca2+ entry was found to be independent of phosphatidylinositol 3- and 4-kinases, the tyrosine kinase pathway, and actin polymerization but sensitive to treatment with inhibitors of Ras, suggesting that the ERK pathway might be a downstream effector of Ras in mediating store-mediated Ca2+ entry in human platelets. In addition, we have found that store depletion stimulated ERK activation does not require PKC activity. This study demonstrates for the first time a novel mechanism for regulation of store-mediated Ca2+ entry in human platelets involving the ERK cascade.