The platelet-activating factor receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor which binds platelet-activating factor.The PAF receptor shows structural characteristics of the rhodopsin gene family and binds platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF is a phospholipid (1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) that has been implicated as a mediator in diverse pathologic processes, such as allergy, asthma, septic shock, arterial thrombosis, and inflammatory processes.

PTAFR has 2 N-glycosylation sites, but unlike other rhodopsin family members, there is no N-glycosylation site in the N-terminal segment. Transfection of PTAFR into COS-7 cells resulted in expression of the receptor with an extracellular N terminus.