Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay
Published on: May 26, 2011
Complexes of tetraspanins with integrins: more than meets the eye
1CRC Institute for Cancer Studies, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TA, UK. f.berditchevski@bham.ac.uk
Abstract:
The transmembrane proteins of the tetraspanin superfamily are implicated in a diverse range of biological phenomena, including cell motility, metastasis, cell proliferation and differentiation. The tetraspanins are associated with adhesion receptors of the integrin family and regulate integrin-dependent cell migration. In cells attached to the extracellular matrix, the integrin-tetraspanin adhesion complexes are clustered into a distinct type of adhesion structure at the cell periphery. Various tetraspanins are associated with phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and protein kinase C isoforms, and they may facilitate assembly of signalling complexes by tethering these enzymes to integrin heterodimers. At the plasma membrane, integrin-tetraspanin signalling complexes are partitioned into specific microdomains proximal to cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. A substantial fraction of tetraspanins colocalise with integrins in various intracellular vesicular compartments. It is proposed that tetraspanins can influence cell migration by one of the following mechanisms: (1) modulation of integrin signalling; (2) compartmentalisation of integrins on the cell surface; or (3) direction of intracellular trafficking and recycling of integrins.
Related Concept Videos
Protein-protein Interfaces
Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...

