What controls platelet secretion in blood clotting?

Identification and characterisation of FLI1 and RUNX1 regulated determinants of platelet granule biogenesis and secretion

When blood vessels are injured, cells called platelets gather at the site of injury, forming a clot to stop excessive bleeding. At the injury site, platelets release a mixture of proteins and small molecules that activate more platelets – a process called platelet secretion. Dr Martina Daly from the University of Sheffield is studying how platelet secretion is controlled. In this project, Dr Daly and her team will study platelets from people whose platelet secretion is abnormal because of faults they have in genes called FLI1 and RUNX1. Both of these genes are important for making platelets, and for platelet secretion, but we do not know why a fault in either FLI1 or RUNX1 affects platelet secretion. The researchers will identify which genes are switched on and off in platelets from these patients. Once these ‘target’ genes are identified, Dr Daly’s team will study them in platelets in the laboratory to see how they affect platelet secretion. This research will reveal how platelet secretion is regulated, and what goes wrong in people with bleeding disorders. It could reveal new ways to control platelet secretion, which might be useful in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.