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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:14
Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Structure and mechanics of integrin-based cell adhesion
M Amin Arnaout1, Simon L Goodman, Jian-Ping Xiong
1Nephrology Division, Leukocyte Biology & Inflammation Program, Structural Biology Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States. arnaout@receptor.mgh.harvard.edu
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|October 12, 2007
Summary
Integrins are cell adhesion receptors crucial for cell migration and development. This review covers recent structural advances in understanding integrin-cytoskeleton protein interactions and their signaling roles.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Integrins are alpha/beta heterodimeric adhesion glycoprotein receptors.
- They regulate dynamic cellular processes like migration, phagocytosis, and development.
- Integrin function is modulated by inside-out activation and ligand binding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in the structural elucidation of integrins.
- To discuss the structural basis of integrin-ligand interactions.
- To highlight the role of integrin cytoplasmic tails in signal transduction and cytoskeleton interaction.
Main Methods:
- X-ray crystallography of integrin ectodomains.
- Structural analysis of integrin-cytoskeleton protein complexes.
- Review of current literature on integrin structure and function.
Main Results:
- Revealed the modular architecture of integrin ectodomains.
- Defined the metal-dependent interaction of integrins with extracellular ligands.
- Illustrated how cytoplasmic tails mediate inside-out activation and signal transmission.
Conclusions:
- Structural insights are key to understanding integrin-mediated cellular processes.
- Integrin structure dictates ligand binding and signal transduction.
- Advances in structural biology continue to illuminate integrin function in health and disease.
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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.
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.
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
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CAM Families
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01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
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