Structural diversity of full-length human αvβ3 integrin revealed by cryo-EM

Integrins are essential transmembrane receptors that orchestrate cell adhesion, migration, and survival, and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases. However, most integrin-targeted drugs have failed in clinical trials due to limited efficacy and unexpected off-target effects, reflecting an incomplete understanding of integrin conformational regulation. Here, we present a series of high-resolution cryo-EM structures of human integrin αvβ3 in both apo and ligand-bound states by collecting a large amount of data. Consequently, we resolved six conformations of integrin in the apo state, five of which were previously uncharacterized, along with five distinct ligand-bound states, thereby revealing a continuum of conformational transitions underlying integrin activation. Notably, CWHM-12 enables the simultaneous coexistence of integrin in closing and opening inhibited states, revealing a mechanism that differs fundamentally from that of conventional RGD peptide-based inhibitors. Then, our study provides a structural framework for understanding integrin activation diversity and lays the foundation for rational design of next-generation inhibitors with improved precision and reduced off-target effects.