ITGA2

ITGA2, the integrin α2 subunit, alias CD49b, GPIa, HPA-5, VLA-2, is a 150 kDa membrane surface glycoprotein expressed in a variety of cell types such as platelets, intestinal epithelial cells, NK cells, epithelial cells and activated T cells.
The mechanism of action of ITGA2 is non-covalent binding to CD29 (integrin β1) to form a heterodimer, VLA-2, platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa (CD49b/CD29), which mediates adhesion between mature megakaryocytes and platelets and collagen.ITGA2 plays an important role in extracellular matrix cell adhesion and is involved in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and signaling processes, and is essential for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of tissues. Abnormal ITGA2 expression has been associated with a variety of diseases, including several arterial diseases, platelet disorders, and diabetes.