Non-genomic effects of nuclear receptors: insights from the anucleate platelet

Unsworth, A. J., Flora, G. D. and Gibbins, J. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0372-5352 (2018) Non-genomic effects of nuclear receptors: insights from the anucleate platelet. Cardiovascular Research, 114 (5). pp. 645-655. ISSN 0008-6363 doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvy044

Abstract/Summary

Nuclear receptors have the ability to elicit two different kinds of responses, genomic and non-genomic. While genomic responses control gene expression by influencing the rate of transcription, non-genomic effects occur rapidly and independently of transcriptional regulation. Due to their anucleate nature and mechanistically well-characterised and rapid responses, platelets provide a model system for the study of any non-genomic effects of the nuclear receptors. Several nuclear receptors have been found to be expressed in human platelets, and multiple nuclear receptor agonists have been shown to elicit anti-platelet effects by a variety of mechanisms. The non-genomic functions of NRs vary, including the regulation of kinase and phosphatase activity, ion channel function, intracellular calcium levels and production of second messengers. Recently, the characterisation of mechanisms and identification of novel binding partners of nuclear receptors have further strengthened the prospects of developing their ligands into potential therapeutics that offer cardio-protective properties in addition to their other defined genomic effects.