Molecular level studies on platelets deficient in collagen-induced aggregation provide evidence for identifying possible platelet collagen receptors. We investigated platelets from a patient with mild bleeding time prolongation, but otherwise normal coagulation data. Her platelets lacked collagen-induced aggregation and adhesion, but retained normal aggregation and release by other agonists. Labeling her platelets with 125I or 3H and analysis by SDS-PAGE/autoradiography showed normal levels of glycoproteins Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, and IV. However, there were significantly decreased incorporations of both radioactivities into a 61-kD membrane glycoprotein (GP), which was identified as GPVI from its mobility on unreduced-reduced, two-dimensional SDS-PAGE. Sugiyama et al. (1987. Blood. 69: 1712) reported that the serum from an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patient contained an antibody against a 62-kD platelet protein. Our patient's platelets lacked the antigen for the ITP patient's antibody, demonstrating that the ITP serum contains a specific antibody against GPVI. The patient's parents' platelets contained approximately 50% the normal amount of GPVI, but still had normal collagen-induced aggregation and adhesion. The patient's platelets did not bind to types I and III collagen fibrils. Our results suggest that GPVI functions as a collagen receptor.