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Updated: May 12, 2026
04:15
A Flow Cytometry-Based High-Throughput Technique for Screening Integrin-Inhibitory Drugs
Published on: February 2, 2024
Structure, function and usage of integrin alpha 6 (CD49f): A comprehensive review
Tomas Soukup1, Martin Kapitan2,3, Nela Jouklova2,3
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Hradec Kralove, Simkova 870, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic.
Summary
Integrin alpha-6 (α6ITG) is a key stem cell marker, but new research shows it also impacts niche accessibility and survival. Its role in stemness, biobanking, and cancer therapy warrants further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Integrin alpha-6 (α6ITG, CD49f) is widely recognized as a marker for stemness.
- Emerging evidence suggests α6ITG has broader roles beyond stem cell identification, including niche accessibility and cellular survival.
- As a laminin receptor, α6ITG is crucial for cell interactions and maintaining cellular phenotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological significance of Integrin alpha-6 (α6ITG) in stem cell biology.
- To explore the translational importance of α6ITG in cancer biology and potential therapeutic applications.
- To discuss the role of α6ITG as a potential universal stemness marker and its sensitivity to environmental cues.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Integrin alpha-6 (α6ITG) function.
- Analysis of research on α6ITG expression in various stem cell types.
- Examination of data linking α6ITG to cancer progression and prognosis.
Main Results:
- α6ITG expression is sensitive to environmental cues, indicating its utility in monitoring culture conditions and cryopreservation.
- Elevated α6ITG expression in cancer correlates with increased growth, invasion, and poorer patient outcomes.
- α6ITG may serve as a common stemness marker due to its consistent expression across different stem cell populations.
Conclusions:
- Integrin alpha-6 (α6ITG) plays a multifaceted role in stem cell biology, influencing niche interactions and survival.
- α6ITG holds significant potential for biobanking, regenerative medicine, and as a prognostic marker in cancer.
- Targeting α6ITG through antibody-mediated knockdown presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
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,...
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,...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
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.
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:25Selectins
Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
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).
CAM Families
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CAM Families
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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).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...