ADHESIVE SIGNALING IN PLATELETS

The anucleate platelet must perform its hemostatic functions in the ab sence of transcriptional regulation. Central among these functions is cell adhesion, which is mediated by multiple specialized plasma membra ne receptors. The adhesive function of one of the key receptors, integ rin 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 platel et to activate intracellular signaling pathways that affect hemostasis .