CD49D (Integrin α4) [A7]

Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain that function in cell surface adhesion and signaling. Most integrin receptors bind ligands that are components of the extracellular matrix, including fibronectin, collagen and vitronectin. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate light and heavy chains that comprise the alpha 4 subunit. This subunit associates with a beta 1 or beta 7 subunit to form an integrin that may play a role in cell motility and migration. This integrin is a therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.