The role of the adapter molecule SLP-76 in platelet function

Following vascular injury, one of the most critical initial events is activ ation of platelets followed by formation of a hemostatic plug. Platelets ar e capable of responding to a diverse array of agonists resulting in adhesio n and granule release. The biochemical events underlying platelet activatio n are just beginning to be understood. One class of molecules shown to play important roles in this process is adapters. Adapter molecules contain dis tinct modular domains which mediate protein-protein or protein-lipid intera ctions giving these proteins the ability to nucleate signal transduction co mplexes. In this review we will discuss the function of the hematopoietic c ell specific adapter molecule, SLP-76 in both platelet activation and hemos tasis. Because many parallels exist between signal transduction pathways in platelets and lymphocytes, we will also review the function of SLP-76 in c oordinating signal transduction pathways following antigen bind to the T ce ll receptor.