Integrating integrins into HIV pathogenesis

摘要

In the absence of integrins, every person would probably disintegrate into a pile of cells! These transmembrane proteins, together with other membrane receptors, mediate cell-to-cell interactions and cell binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM), supporting tissue structure. Nevertheless, if all that integrins did was to cement our tissues, one type would probably be enough. In reality, there are more than 20 different integrins (formed by alpha and (3 heterodimers), and their diversity reflects the complexity and diversity of the signals that they transmit into the cell. Integrins represent the cell's exploratory organ. Cell attachment, spreading, and locomotion, as well as other sophisticated cellular functions like growth, division, and apoptosis, are dependent on integrin-mediated signals