While the role of the cytoskeleton in microparticle formation is well-described, the role ofmembrane phospholipids in regulating this process is poorly defined. PIP
2 binds many cytoskeletal proteinsand may oppose microparticle formation through associations with these proteins. To determine whetherPIP
2 effects microparticle formation, PIP
2 was incorporated into platelet membranes prior to activation-induced microparticle formation. Incorporation of PIP
2 into platelet membranes inhibited activation-inducedmicroparticle formation by
![](/images/entities/ge.gif)
90%. Inhibition was dose-dependent with an IC
50 of 12-18
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
M. Apermeabilized platelet system was next used to assess the effect of modulation of endogenous PIP
2 levelson microparticle formation. Infusion of type II
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
PIP kinase into permeabilized platelets inhibitedmicroparticle formation by 75 ± 8%. In contrast, incubation of permeabilized platelets with PI-specificphospholipase C augmented microparticle formation by greater than 3-fold. Evaluation of PIP kinasesfollowing platelet activation demonstrated that they were lost from platelets in a calpain-dependent mannerduring microparticle formation. Purified
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
-calpain cleaved recombinant type II
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
PIP kinase and inhibitedits ability to phosphorylate PI(5)P. In permeabilized platelets, incubation of purified
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
-calpain reducedPIP
2 levels, while exposure to calpeptin increased PIP
2 levels. Calpain has previously been implicated inplatelet microparticle formation. These studies show that calpain may help limit PIP
2 formation followingplatelet activation and that PIP
2 content is an important determinant of platelet microparticle formation.