 
         
         Summary
         
         Low density lipoprotein (LDL) increases the sensitivity of human platelets for agonists
            by activating p38MAPK. Antibody 4G3 disturbs apoB100 binding to the classical apoB/E receptor and inhibits
            LDLinduced p38MAPK activation, whereas an antibody against a distal domain on apoB100 has no effect.
            Peptide RLTRKRGLKLA mimics the binding domain of apoB100 called the B-site and activates
            platelet p38MAPK. Activation by B-site peptide is dose-dependent, transient and followed by desensitization,
            in accordance with receptor-mediated signalling. A scrambled peptide and a partially
            homologous peptide RKLRKRLLRDA mimicking the apoB/E receptor binding site of apoE
            in high density lipoprotein (HDL) also activate p38MAPK albeit 40% weaker, but an uncharged peptide lacks p38MAPK activating capacity. LDL and B-site peptide bind to the same binding sites and initiate
            similar signalling to p38MAPK and cytosolic phospholipase A2. Thus, LDL and to a lesser extent HDL activate platelets
            via specific domains in the protein moiety that recognize receptors of the LDL receptor
            family.
         
         Keywords
LDL - platelets - p38
MAPK
            - apoB100 - apoE