Adhesive signaling in platelets.

The anucleate platelet must perform its hemostatic functions in the absence of transcriptional regulation. Central among these functions is cell adhesion, which is mediated by multiple specialized plasma membrane receptors. The adhesive function of one of the key receptors, integrin alpha IIb beta 3, is regulated by intracellular signals triggered by platelet agonists and antagonists. Recent evidence indicates that adhesion receptors can transduce extracellular signals into the platelet to activate intracellular signaling pathways that affect hemostasis.