The small GTPase Rif is dispensable for platelet filopodia generation in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Formation of filopodia and other shape change events are vital for platelet hemostatic function. The mechanisms regulating filopodia formation by platelets are incompletely understood however. In particular the small GTPase responsible for initiating filopodia formation by platelets remains elusive. The canonical pathway involving Cdc42 is not essential for filopodia formation in mouse platelets. The small GTPase Rif (RhoF) provides an alternative route to filopodia generation in other cell types and is expressed in both human and mouse platelets.

Hypothesis/objective

We hypothesized that Rif might be responsible for generating filopodia by platelets and generated a novel knockout mouse model to investigate the functional role of Rif in platelets.

Methodology/p

SUBMITTER: Goggs R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3554654 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature