SummaryThe identity of the receptors mediating platelet activation by ADP remains elusive. To distinguish between platelet ADP receptor subtypes, the effects of antagonists on platelet responses and the cloned P2Y1receptor, a putative platelet ADP receptor, have been investigated. 2-methylthio-AMP (2MeSAMP), an inhibitor of ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, antagonized ADP-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, competed with binding of [3H]2-methylthio-ADP and inhibited the stimulation of [35S]GTP γS binding. 2MeSAMP did not inhibit platelet shape change and was only a weak antagonist of intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets or in cells expressing the cloned human P2Y1receptor. By contrast, the P2Y1receptor antagonist adeno-sine 3’,5’-diphosphate (A3P5P) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, completely abolished shape change, but did not antagonize ADP effects on cyclic AMP generation or [3H]2-methylthio-ADP binding. However, A3P5P antagonized intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets and cells expressing the cloned P2Y1receptor. Furthermore, using a specific monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry, P2Y1receptor protein was detected on human platelets. These results support the existence of two G protein-coupled ADP receptors mediating platelet aggregation, one of which is coupled to Giproteins and blocked by 2MeSAMP, whereas the second receptor is similar or identical to P2Y1and coupled to Gq.