title: α2β1 Integrin.
abstract: The α2β1 integrin, also known as VLA-2, GPIa-IIa, CD49b, was first identified as an extracellular matrix receptor for collagens and/or laminins [55, 56]. It is now recognized that the α2β1 integrin serves as a receptor for many matrix and nonmatrix molecules [35, 79, 128]. Extensive analyses have clearly elucidated the α2 I domain structural motifs required for ligand binding, and also defined distinct conformations that lead to inactive, partially active or highly active ligand binding [3, 37, 66, 123, 136, 137, 140]. The mechanisms by which the α2β1 integrin plays a critical role in platelet function and homeostasis have been carefully defined via in vitro and in vivo experiments [76, 104, 117, 125]. Genetic and epidemiologic studies have confirmed human physiology and disease states mediated by this receptor in immunity, cancer, and development [6, 20, 21, 32, 43, 90]. The role of the α2β1 integrin in these multiple complex biologic processes will be discussed in the chapter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Aasakiran
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madamanchi
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zutter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D038982:Integrin alpha2beta1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D038982:Integrin alpha2beta1