ITGA4

Integrin subunit alpha 4 (ITGA4), also known as IA4 or CD49D, encoded by ITGA4 gene, is a member of the integrin alpha chain family. The subunit dimerizes with either a beta 1 or beta 7 subunit forming an integrin. Integrins belong to membrane proteins that play a significant role in cell surface adhesion and signaling. For example, ITGA4 can cooperate with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) on endothelial cells surface to promote cells migration. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), ITGA4 is a critical regulator in process of CLL cells migration, allowing tumor cells to migrate from blood to the protective microenvironment of bone marrow and lymph nodes.
The α4β1 integrin, also named as very late antigen4 (VLA4), is the most important member of the β1 integrin subfamily of integrins,expressed in a variety of different cell types, including neurons, glial cells, meningeal cells, and endothelial cells. Besides, recent studies have been shown that ITGA4 is a therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, CLL, oral squamous cell carcinoma, Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease and so on.
Gene ID: 3676
UniProt ID: P13612