Integrin Alpha 2 (ITGa2)

The CD49b protein is an integrin alpha subunit. It makes up half of the α2β1 integrin duplex. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane glycoproteins composed of a distinct alpha chain and a common beta chain. They are found on a wide variety of cell types including, T cells (the NKT cells), NK cells, fibroblasts and platelets. Integrins are involved in cell adhesion and also participate in cell-surface mediated signalling.Kunicki et al. (1997) identified 2 silent, linked polymorphisms, 807C-T and 873G-A, within the coding region of the ITGA2 gene that are associated with GP Ia/IIa surface expression, i.e., the number of GP Ia/IIa copies on the platelet membrane. High surface expression was found in platelets derived from 807T homozygotes, whereas low surface expression was found in platelets from 807C homozygotes.