ITGA9
Description
The ITGA9 (integrin subunit alpha 9) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
Integrin alpha-9 is a protein encoded by the ITGA9 gene in humans. It belongs to the integrin family, which are cell adhesion molecules composed of alpha and beta subunits. Integrin alpha-9 binds to the beta-1 chain, forming a receptor for tenascin-C, VCAM1, and osteopontin. Increased expression of the ITGA9 gene has been observed in small cell lung cancers. Integrin alpha-9 plays a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
Integrin alpha-9/beta-1 (ITGA9:ITGB1) acts as a receptor for VCAM1, cytotactin, and osteopontin. It specifically binds to the sequence A-E-I-D-G-I-E-L within cytotactin. ITGA9:ITGB1 is believed to play a key role in SVEP1/polydom-mediated myoblast cell adhesion. Additionally, it represses PRKCA-mediated L-type voltage-gated channel Ca(2+) influx and ROCK-mediated calcium sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells through its interaction with SVEP1, ultimately inhibiting vasoconstriction.
ITGA9 is also known as ALPHA-RLC, ITGA4L, RLC.
