Integrin-associated protein (IAP)1 is important in host defense where it is required for integrin-dependent functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (1). IAP also appears to be important in modulating integrin function in other cells (2) and in signal transduction upon ligand binding by certain integrins with which it associates (3, 4). We have recently discovered that IAP is a receptor for the COOH-terminal cell binding domain (CBD) of the thrombospondins (TSs) including TS1 (5), the most abundant protein of platelet ␣ granules (6). A peptide from the CBD, kRFYVVMWKk (4N1K) has been identified as an IAP agonist (2, 5). TS1 is thought to have a role in augmenting platelet aggregation (7,8). A mAb (C6.7) against the IAPbinding domain of TS1 can block secretion-dependent platelet aggregation (8), but the mechanism of this effect has remained obscure (9). IAP is present on platelets (10), but it was initially reported to have no functional role in platelet activation or aggregation (11). However, Dorahy et al. (12) have recently reported that the 4N1K agonist peptide, which we had identified in the CBD of TS1, can activate washed platelets causing their aggregation. In nucleated cells, IAP associates with ␣v3 and modulates its function (3, 4). For example, the CBD of TS1 and the 4N1K peptide stimulate the chemotaxis of endothelial cells on RGD-containing substrata, and this effect is blocked specifically by mAbs against IAP and ␣v3 (5). TS1, its CBD, and 4N1K peptide all stimulate the rapid spreading of C32 melanoma and NIH3T3 cells on sparse vitronectin substrata, which support only weak, slow spreading of these cells in the absence of TS1 (2). This stimulation of ␣v3-dependent spreading is specifically inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating the participation of a heterotrimeric G i -like protein in a pathway linking IAP to a common cellular pathway resulting in protein kinase C activation, which leads to cell spreading (2) and motility (5). This sort of stimulation of an integrin-dependent function via G protein-dependent pathways is reminiscent of the costimulation of ␣IIb3 function in platelets by agents that act via heptahelical or seven transmembrane spanning receptors such as ADP, epinephrine, and thrombin (13, 14). Here we have examined the hypothesis that IAP ligation by TS1 has a role in modulating ␣IIb3 function. We find that IAP stimulation by its agonist 4N1K activates ␣IIb3 as judged by enhanced binding of the conformationally sensitive mAb PAC-1 (13-15) resulting in spreading of platelets on fibrinogen-coated surfaces, aggregation of stirred platelets (12), and assembly of a signaling complex containing IAP, the integrin, c-Src, FAK, and SYK. All of these actions of IAP are blocked by pertussis toxin, indicating the essential participation of a G i -like heterotrimeric G protein (2). In unstirred, washed platelets where the integrin is not engaged, 4N1K stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of SYK, an early event in platelet activation by many agonists (17). This activation of SYK is bloc...