Anti-CD49b / Integrin alpha 2 Monoclonal Antibody (Clone:AK7)

CD49b / Integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2, alpha 2 subunit of VLA-2) heterodimerizes with CD29 to form the VLA-2 integrin alpha2/beta1 complex, which serves as a receptor for type I collagen, laminin, and E-cadherin. It also acts as a receptor for echovirus. Expressed on platelets, activated lymphocytes, monocytes, fibroblasts, epitelial and endothelial cells, CD49b mediates adhesion of these cells to the extracellular matrix. This interaction supports e.g. T cell proliferation and cytokine production, or wound healing. Defect in CD49b is associated with bleeding disorder platelet-type 9. Antibodies against CD49b are found in several immune disorders, including neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Protein function: Integrin alpha-2/beta-1 is a receptor for laminin, collagen, collagen C-propeptides, fibronectin and E-cadherin. It recognizes the proline-hydroxylated sequence G-F-P-G-E-R in collagen. It is responsible for adhesion of platelets and other cells to collagens, modulation of collagen and collagenase gene expression, force generation and organization of newly synthesized extracellular matrix. [The UniProt Consortium]