A novel role for Gqα in α-thrombin-mediated mitogenic signalling pathways

α-Thrombin activates several G-proteins including members of the Gq, Gi, and G12/13 families, although the physiological importance of these proteins is still not completely understood. We specifically investigated the role of Gqα in modulating α-thrombin-induced mitogenesis. In Gqa1 cells, a stable cell line expressing reduced amounts of Gqα, concentrations of α-thrombin (1 NIH unit/ml), which induce cell cycle reentry and progression into S phase in wild-type IIC9 cells, do not stimulate phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, the rapid early phase of ERK activity, and transit through G1 into S phase as quantified by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4-cyclin D activity and [³H]thymidine incorporation. Interestingly, high concentrations of α-thrombin restore these activities and cell cycle progression into S phase. While, it is well documented that α-thrombin-induced sustained ERK activity mediates important responses for transit through G1 into S phase, the importance of the rapid, Gq-dependent phase as a prerequisite for α-thrombin-mediated mitogenesis has not been appreciated.