Platelet proteins, including platelet-derived growth factor, specifically depress a subset of the multiple components of the response elicited by glutathione in Hydra.

Human serum more strongly depressed the feeding response of Hydra (ball formation) elicited by S-methylglutathione than plasma. On the basis of the effect of several proteins released by platelets, at least five apparent components of the response (R1-R5) were suggested. Each of the platelet proteins examined specifically depressed a subset of these components. Among the platelet proteins examined, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) specifically depressed the R2 response (the concentration at which the depressing effect was 50% of the maximum [ED50] was 0.17 pM), and basic fibroblast growth factor depressed the R3 and R5 responses (ED50 0.50 aM) and the R2 response (ED50 0.55 pM). With respect to the depression of the R2 response by PDGF, addition of an anti-PDGF IgG or chemical reduction of PDGF, both of which prevent PDGF from binding to its cell surface receptor on responsive cells, eliminated the depressing effect of PDGF on the hydra response. The implications of these observations are discussed.