Platelet Interaction with Injured Vascular Surface (IMAGE)

Georgia Institute of Technology

Platelet Interaction with Injured Vascular Surface

Caption

A platelet interacts with the injured vascular surface at the beginning of blood clotting. The platelet uses GPIbα to bind von Willebrand factor (VWF) to resist the dislodging force from the bloodstream. The force unfolds the domain of GPIbα that binds VWF, which prolongs binding and promotes unfolding of the domain of GPIbα that is close to the platelet membrane. These cooperative unfolding events lead to strong calcium signaling inside the platelet.

Credit

Credit: Yunfeng Chen

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