Tryptic peptide map analysis of the major human blood platelet membrane glycoproteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Washed platelets were surface-labelled by lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination and either the platelets or membranes were solubilized in detergent and applied to a wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose column and a Lens culinaris lectin Sepharose column coupled sequentially. The glycoproteins eluted from the lectin columns were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Alternatively, labelled whole platelets or membranes were solubilized and then directly separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Spots corresponding to specific glycoproteins identified by apparent isoelectric point (pI), apparent molecular weight (Mr), staining and labelling characteristics were cut from the gels and analyzed by tryptic peptide mapping. The maps of the individual glycoproteins(GP) Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, GP4-4.5 132-135, IIIa, IIIb and IIIc were all different. Glycoproteins with the same Mr but different pI were distinct with the exception of regions of GP Ib. There were minor differences in the maps of glycoproteins separated in the reduced or non-reduced state. Tryptic peptide maps provide a valuable additional parameter for the identification and characterization of platelet glycoproteins.