The Fc receptor γ-chain and the tyrosine kinase Syk are essential for activation of mouse platelets by collagen

Abstract

Activation of mouse platelets by collagen is associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins including the Fc receptor γ‐chain, the tyrosine kinase Syk and phospholipase Cγ2, suggesting that collagen signals in a manner similar to that of immune receptors. This hypothesis has been tested using platelets from mice lacking the Fc receptor γ‐chain or Syk. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and phospholipase Cγ2 by collagen stimulation is absent in mice lacking the Fc receptor γ‐chain. Tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ2 by collagen stimulation is also absent in mice platelets which lack Syk, although phosphorylation of the Fc receptor γ‐chain is maintained. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins by the G protein‐coupled receptor agonist thrombin is maintained in mouse platelets deficient in Fc receptor γ‐chain or Syk. The absence of Fc receptor γ‐chain or Syk is accompanied by a loss of secretion and aggregation responses in collagen‐ but not thrombin‐stimulated platelets. These observations provide the first direct evidence of an essential role for the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif (ITAM) in signalling by a non‐immune receptor stimulus.