Expression of Heterologous Integrin Genes.

Cell-extracellular matrix interactions are mediated predominantly by integrins, cell-surface receptors that exist as heterodimers of noncovalently associated α and β subunits (1). Integrins have been implicated in organ and tissue development, normal and aberrant cellular growth, and modulation of intracellular signal-transduction mechanisms (2-7). The expression of individual integrin subunits in mammalian systems has been instrumental in studies aimed at examining the structure and function of integrins and in analyzing the ability of integrins to modulate cellular functions and intracellular signaling (for review, seeref. 8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]