Biochemistry Commons^™

Abnormalities In Post-Translational Processing Of Platelet Rap 1b In Niddm: A Possible Cause Of Platelet Hyperactivity And Cardiovascular Disease In Diabetes, Elizabeth Ann Hall

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Post-translational processing is critical for the appropriate subcellular localization and function of platelet G-proteins. The majority of the platelet responses to agonists are mediated through specific receptor/G-protein complexes. Therefore, G-protein activity is central to "normal" platelet activity (i.e. aggregation). We have shown that Simvastatin, the in vivo inhibitor of HMG CoA Reductase and therefore isoprenoid synthesis, inhibits the post-translational processing of specific platelet G-proteins and alters platelet responses to agonists. These results show the importance of post-translational processing of G-proteins to platelet activity. Altered post-translational processing of specific G-proteins may explain platelet hyperactivity and the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease …