Integrin antibodies

Integrins, function and structure

Integrins are a family of transmembrane receptor proteins, connecting the cy-toskeleton with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrins bind to ECM glycopro-teins including collagens, fibronectins, laminins, and a number of cellular receptors. In addition, integrins function as signal transducers. Importantly, different integrins activate differential intracellular signaling pathways that control biological and cellular functions including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis [1].

Integrins are formed by two noncovalent-ly bound alpha and beta subunits. There are 18 alpha and 8 beta subunits, forming at least 24 distinct integrin heterodimers. Each heterodimer consists of a large extracellular domain, binding proteins in the extracellular environment, a single-membrane-spanning transmembrane domain, and a generally small intracellular cytoplasmic tail domain, which forms links with the cytoskeletal elements [2].

Integrin specificity

The specificity of integrin binding to ECM components including laminins, collagens, and fibronectin depends on the extracellular domains of the alpha and beta integrin subunits. Integrins a1b1, a2b1, a10b1, and a11b1 represent the primary collagen receptors [2]. Integrins a5b1, a8b1, aIIbb3 and the avb integrins are the major fibronectin receptors that bind in an RGD-dependent manner [3]. Finally, integrins a3b1, a6b1, a6b4 and a7b1 are the major laminin receptors [4].

A selection of Atlas Antibodies offering against specific integrin subunits is summarized in the tables below.

Selected antibodies for Integrin alpha subunits

Selected antibodies for Integrin beta subunits

References

1. Schwartz MA, Schaller MD, Ginsberg MH. Integrins: emerging paradigms of signal transduction. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 1995;11:549-599.
2. Hynes RO. Integrins: bidirectional, allosteric signaling machines. Cell. 2002;110(6):673-687.
3. van der Flier A, Sonnenberg A. Function and interactions of integrins. Cell Tissue Res. 2001;305(3):285-298.
4. Belkin AM, Stepp MA. Integrins as receptors for laminins. Microsc Res Tech. 2000;51(3):280-301.