Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2006

Abstract

Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that play critical roles in development, wound healing, hemostasis, immunity and cancer. Advances in the past two years have shed light on the structural basis for integrin regulation and signaling, especially on how global conformational changes between bent and extended conformations relate to the inter-domain and intra-domain shape shifting that regulates affinity for ligand. The downward movements of the C-terminal helices of the α I and β I domains and the swing-out of the hybrid domain play pivotal roles in integrin conformational signaling. Experiments have also shown that integrins transmit bidirectional signals across the plasma membrane by coupling extracellular conformational change with an unclasping and separation of the α and β transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

First Page

579

Last Page

586

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