Integrin alpha V

Integrin alpha-V is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITGAV gene.

Function
ITGAV encodes integrin alpha chain V. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. Alpha V undergoes post-translational cleavage to yield disulfide-linked heavy and light chains, that combine with multiple integrin beta chains to form different integrins. Among the known associating beta chains (beta chains 1,3,5,6, and 8; ITGB1, ITGB3, ITGB5, ITGB6, and ITGB8), each can interact with extracellular matrix ligands; the alpha V beta 3 integrin, perhaps the most studied of these, is referred to as the Vitronectin receptor (VNR). In addition to adhesion, many integrins are known to facilitate signal transduction.

Alpha V class integrins
In mammals the integrins that include alpha-V are :

Clinical significance
Overexpression of the ITGAV gene is associated with progression and spread of colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.

As a drug target
The mAbs intetumumab, and abituzumab target this protein which is found on some tumour cells.