Fig. 4: Potential mechanism for the activation of platelets by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
From: The pathological maelstrom of COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease
Current data indicate that spike can lead to the activation of the TMEM16F protein, which in platelets acts as the main calcium-dependent scramblase that promotes externalization of phosphatidylserine onto the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. This is an essential step in the activation of the procoagulant activity of platelets.
