Platelet surface glutathione reductase-like activity

We previously found that reduced glutathione (GSH) or a mixture of GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) potentiated platelet aggregation. We here report that GSSG, when added to platelets alone, also potentiates platelet aggregation. Most of the GSSG was converted to GSH by a flavoprotein-dependent platelet surface mechanism. This provided an appropriate redox potential for platelet activation. The addition of GSSG to platelets generated sulfhydryls in the β subunit of the α_IIbβ₃ fibrinogen receptor, suggesting a mechanism for facilitation of agonist-induced platelet activation.