densegranules

Dense granules are electron-dense, membrane-bound secretory organelles found in several cell types. The term is most commonly used to describe platelet dense granules, but similar organelles are observed in other cells and in apicomplexan parasites.

In platelets, dense granules store small hydrophilic molecules including adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), calcium ions (Ca2+), serotonin, and inorganic polyphosphate. Upon platelet activation by vascular injury, dense granules fuse with the plasma membrane and release their contents. This secretion amplifies platelet recruitment and aggregation and promotes secondary hemostasis by supplying essential cofactors for coagulation. Dense granules are distinct from the more abundant alpha granules, which contain large proteins such as von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen.

Biogenesis occurs in the late secretory pathway, and granule contents are sorted and loaded prior to release. Defects in dense-granule formation or function lead to storage-pool diseases, a group of bleeding disorders characterized by reduced platelet dense-granule content and impaired platelet secretion.

In apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium species, dense granules are secretory organelles that release dense granule proteins (GRAs) during and after invasion. These proteins accumulate in the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell cytosol, where they contribute to parasite replication, nutrient acquisition, and remodeling of the host environment. The exact composition and function of dense granules vary among species and life stages.

Dense granules thus represent distinct secretory compartments across diverse taxa, reflecting convergent evolution of storage and secretion strategies for rapid response to environmental cues.