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Thromb Haemost 1982; 48(02): 153-155
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657245
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

The State of Actin Polymerization in Tetracaine-Treated Platelets

Gregg E Davies
The Departments of Research and Medicine, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
,
Jiri Palek
The Departments of Research and Medicine, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
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Further Information

Publication History

Received 07 June 1982

Accepted 30 July 1982

Publication Date:
13 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Although there is considerable evidence that platelet activation is associated with polymerization of actin, it is not known whether there is some pre-existing F-actin even before activation. We have examined the state of actin polymerization in nonactivated platelets by deoxyribonuclease assay of G-actin and total actin. To fully suppress activation, platelets were prepared in the presence of tetracaine. The G-actin/total actin ratio in tetracaine-treated platelets prepared by three different methods is significantly less than one (average of all results = 0.61). We conclude that about 39% of total actin in nonactivated tetracaine-treated platelets may be present as F-actin.

Keywords

Actin polymerization - Tetracaine-treated platelets
 

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