Differential expression of platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa in Taiwan Chinese corresponds to glycoprotein ia gene polymorphisms.

Glycoprotein (GP) Ia/IIa plays a key role in platelet function by acting as a primary receptor for subendothelial collagen, thereby contributing to arterial thrombosis. In this study, we found that the expression level of platelet GPIa/IIa among Taiwan Chinese varies over sixfold and this difference relates either to the GPIa gene 807 C/T dimorphisms or the appearance of BglII restriction sequence within intron G. This is the first study to demonstrate the wide variation of platelet GPIa/IIa density in an Oriental population and its correlation to the GPIa gene polymorphisms. These results provide useful tools for predicting platelet GPIa/IIa density of Chinese.