ABSTRACT Integrins are a family of heterodimeric receptors present on multiple types of cell surface. They play a role in the attachment of a cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to other cells, and in signal transduction from the ECM to the cell. These signals regulate the activities of cytoplasmic kinases, growth factor receptors, and ion channels and control the organization of the intracellular actin cytoskeleton. Many integrin signals converge on cell cycle regulation, directing cells to live or die, to proliferate, or to exit the cell cycle and differentiate. The involvement of integrins in different signal pathways makes them an interesting target for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
Buy this Article
|