ITGA2B : integrin subunit alpha 2b
Description
The ITGA2B (integrin subunit alpha 2b) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
The ITGA2B gene provides instructions for making the alphaIIb subunit of the integrin alphaIIb/beta3 (αIIbβ3) receptor complex, found on platelets. Platelets are essential for blood clot formation. The alphaIIb subunit binds to the beta3 subunit (from the ITGB3 gene) to form integrin αIIbβ3. Each platelet has 80,000 to 100,000 copies of this receptor. During clot formation, integrin αIIbβ3 binds to fibrinogen, promoting platelet cohesion and clot formation. This process helps seal damaged blood vessels and prevent blood loss. Integrin αIIbβ3 also binds to other proteins in blood and the extracellular matrix, contributing to proper clot formation and wound healing.
Integrin alpha-IIb/beta-3 is a receptor for various proteins including fibronectin, fibrinogen, plasminogen, prothrombin, thrombospondin, and vitronectin. It recognizes specific sequences within these proteins, such as R-G-D and H-H-L-G-G-G-A-K-Q-A-G-D-V, for binding. Upon activation, integrin alpha-IIb/beta-3 facilitates platelet-to-platelet interaction by binding soluble fibrinogen. This binding leads to rapid platelet aggregation, forming a physical plug to seal damaged blood vessel surfaces.
ITGA2B is also known as BDPLT16, BDPLT2, CD41, CD41B, GP2B, GPIIb, GT, GT1, GTA, HPA3, PPP1R93.
Associated Diseases
- Glanzmann thrombasthenia
- Bleeding disorder, platelet-type, 16
- Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
