Multiple approaches converge on the structure of the integrin alphaIIb/beta3 transmembrane heterodimer.

ABSTRACT: Integrins link the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and regulate key signaling events that coordinate cellular processes such as secretion, migration, and proliferation. A single integrin molecule can exist in a resting state that does not bind extracellular ligands or in an active state that can engage ligands and form large signaling complexes. Activation signals are transduced between the cytosolic region and the extracellular region by a binary on/off switch in the integrin's transmembrane (TM) domain; the integrin's alpha and beta subunits each have a single TM helix that forms an alpha/beta heterodimer in the resting state, and the TM heterodimer separates to transduce an activation signal across the membrane. In this article, two methods used to generate models of the TM het

SUBMITTER: Metcalf DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3856686 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature