Fibrinogen gamma-chain mRNA is not detected in human megakaryocytes
W Lange, A Luig, G Dolken, R Mertelsmann and L Kanz
Department Medicine I, Hematology and Oncology, Albert-Ludwigs University
Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
Human megakaryocytes and platelets contain counterparts of several plasma
proteins. The origin of most of these alpha-granule proteins is unclear.
Fibrinogen represents one of those molecules, being essential in
hemostasis, thrombosis, and platelet aggregation. To study whether
fibrinogen is endocytosed by megakaryocytes and packaged into alpha-
granules or newly synthesized by these cells, we established a highly
sensitive nested primer polymerase chain reaction for the detection of
human fibrinogen gamma-chain mRNA. In enriched megakaryocyte fractions, as
well as fluorescence-activated cell sorter-purified megakaryocytes from
bone marrow samples of healthy volunteers, no fibrinogen gamma- chain mRNA
could be detected, despite the presence of the corresponding fibrinogen
gamma-chain DNA. We conclude that fibrinogen gamma-chain mRNA, as
detectable by our amplification system, is missing in megakaryocytes. This
finding suggests that fibrinogen might be acquired from plasma by
endocytosis and sequestered in alpha-granules before reentering the
circulation after platelet activation.
Volume 78,
Issue 1,
pp. 20-25,
07/01/1991
Copyright © 1991 by The American Society of Hematology