The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of a complex mixture of structural and functional macromolecules and serves an important role in tissue and organ morphogenesis and in the maintenance of cell and tissue structure and function. Specific interactions between cells and the ECM are mediated by transmembrane molecules, mainly integrins and perhaps also proteoglycans, CD36, or other cell-surface-associated components. These interactions lead to a direct or indirect control of cellular activities such as adhesion, migration, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. In addition, integrins function as mechanoreceptors and provide a force-transmitting physical link between the ECM and the cytoskeleton. Integrins are a family of glycosylated, heterodimeric transmembrane adhesion receptors that consist of noncovalently bound alpha- and beta-subunits.

Environmental Information Processing; Signaling molecules and interaction

PMID:11572082

van der Flier A, Sonnenberg A.

Function and interactions of integrins.

Cell Tissue Res 305:285-98 (2001)
DOI:10.1007/s004410100417

PMID:12921709

Reddy KV, Mangale SS.

Integrin receptors: the dynamic modulators of endometrial function.

Tissue Cell 35:260-73 (2003)
DOI:10.1016/S0040-8166(03)00039-9

PMID:12125070

Milner R, Campbell IL.

The integrin family of cell adhesion molecules has multiple functions within the CNS.

J Neurosci Res 69:286-91 (2002)
DOI:10.1002/jnr.10321

PMID:12796473

Cichy J, Pure E.

The liberation of CD44.

J Cell Biol 161:839-43 (2003)
DOI:10.1083/jcb.200302098

PMID:7698997

Elenius K, Jalkanen M.

Function of the syndecans--a family of cell surface proteoglycans.

J Cell Sci 107 ( Pt 11):2975-82 (1994)

PMID:10617638

Son YJ, Scranton TW, Sunderland WJ, Baek SJ, Miner JH, Sanes JR, Carlson SS.

The synaptic vesicle protein SV2 is complexed with an alpha5-containing laminin on the nerve terminal surface.

J Biol Chem 275:451-60 (2000)
DOI:10.1074/jbc.275.1.451

PMID:15036264

Sid B, Sartelet H, Bellon G, El Btaouri H, Rath G, Delorme N, Haye B, Martiny L.

Thrombospondin 1: a multifunctional protein implicated in the regulation of tumor growth.

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 49:245-58 (2004)
DOI:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2003.09.009

PMID:15381249

Canobbio I, Balduini C, Torti M.

Signalling through the platelet glycoprotein Ib-V-IX complex.

Cell Signal 16:1329-44 (2004)
DOI:10.1016/j.cellsig.2004.05.008

PMID:11331578

Nieswandt B, Brakebusch C, Bergmeier W, Schulte V, Bouvard D, Mokhtari-Nejad R, Lindhout T, Heemskerk JW, Zirngibl H, Fassler R.

Glycoprotein VI but not alpha2beta1 integrin is essential for platelet interaction with collagen.

EMBO J 20:2120-30 (2001)
DOI:10.1093/emboj/20.9.2120

PMID:12736199

Martin PT.

Dystroglycan glycosylation and its role in matrix binding in skeletal muscle.

Glycobiology 13:55R-66R (2003)
DOI:10.1093/glycob/cwg076

PMID:15229478

Toole BP.

Hyaluronan: from extracellular glue to pericellular cue.

Nat Rev Cancer 4:528-39 (2004)
DOI:10.1038/nrc1391

PMID:12845610

Bosman FT, Stamenkovic I.

Functional structure and composition of the extracellular matrix.

J Pathol 200:423-8 (2003)
DOI:10.1002/path.1437