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[Subclassification, molecular structure, function and ligand in integrin superfamily]

N Matsuura1, Y Takada

  • 1Department of Pathology II, Wakayama Medical School.

Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|July 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Integrins are cell surface receptors crucial for cell adhesion and signaling. These protein complexes regulate vital cellular functions, impacting development, immunity, and disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • Integrins are key cell surface receptors mediating cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix.
  • These interactions are fundamental to numerous biological processes, including development, immunity, and cancer metastasis.
  • Integrins are heterodimeric proteins, comprising alpha and beta subunits, forming over 20 distinct receptor types.

Purpose:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of integrin structure and function.
  • To highlight the diverse cellular processes regulated by integrin-mediated adhesion.
  • To underscore the significance of integrin-ligand interactions in cellular signaling.

Summary:

  • Integrins are transmembrane receptors formed by alpha and beta subunits, mediating cell adhesion and influencing cellular functions.
  • Specific ligand binding sites have been elucidated for certain integrins using chimera proteins.
  • Integrin engagement with ligands triggers intracellular signaling pathways and cytoskeletal rearrangements.

Impact:

  • Understanding integrins is vital for comprehending embryonic development, immune responses, and cancer progression.
  • Integrin research offers potential therapeutic targets for diseases involving aberrant cell adhesion.
  • Elucidating integrin-ligand interactions deepens our knowledge of cell signaling and biomechanics.

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