Abstract. We have investigated mechanisms involved in integrin-mediated signal transduction in platelets by examining integrin-dependent phosphorylation and activation of a newly identified protein tyrosine kinase, pp125 F~ (FAK, focal adhesion kinase). This kinase was previously shown to be localized in focal adhesions in fibroblasts, and to be phosphorylated on tyrosine in normal and Src-transformed fibroblasts. We show that thrombin and collagen activation of platelets causes an induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 F~ and that pp125 F~ molecules isolated from activated platelets display enhanced levels of phosphorylation in immune-complex kinase assays, pp125 F~ was not phosphorylated on tyrosine after thrombin or collagen treatment of Glanzmann's thrombasthenic platelets deficient in the fibrinogen receptor GPIIbIIIa, or of platelets pretreated with an inhibitory monoclonal antibody to GP lib-Ilia. Fibrinogen binding to GP Ub-HIa was not sufficient to induce pp125 F~x phosphorylation because pp125 F~ was not phosphorylated on tyrosine in thrombin-treated platelets that were not allowed to aggregate. These results indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 s~ is dependent on platelet aggregation mediated by fibrinogen binding to the integrin receptor GP lib-Ilia. The induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 F~ was inhibited in thrombin-and collagen-treated platelets preincubated with cytochalasin D, which prevents actin polymerization following activation. Under all of these conditions, there was a strong correlation between the induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 r~ in vivo and stimulation of the phosphorylation of pp125 FA~ in vitro in immune-complex kinase assays. This study provides the first genetic evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 F~ is dependent on integrin-mediated events, and demonstrates that there is a strong correlation between tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125 FAK in platelets, and the activation of pp125FAK-associated phosphorylating activity in vitro.T HE interactions of cells with extracellular adhesion molecules play critical roles in regulating the morphology, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells. One family of receptors for extracellular adhesion molecules, called integrins, is comprised of heterodimeric r transmembrane proteins (1,17,19,20). Although the extracellular interactions between adhesion molecules and their integrin receptors have been well characterized, the interactions of integrins with cytoplasmic targets and their role in signaling pathways that are responsible for adhesion-induced changes in cell behavior are poorly understood (5).Platelets provide a very useful model system for investigating the mechanisms involved in integrin-induced events. The best characterized platelet integrin receptor, GP Hb-HIa, is required for two essential functions of platelets in hemostasis-platelet-to-platelet aggregation and the spreading of J. S. Brugge's present address is Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,