Abstract.
Seven of the integrin α subunits described to date, α 1 , α 2 , α L , α X , α d , α M and α E , contain a highly conserved I (or A) domain of approximately 200 amino acid residues inserted near the amino-terminus of the subunit. As the result of a variety of independent experimental approaches, a large body of data has recently accumulated that indicates that the I domains are independent, autonomously folding domains capable of directly binding ligands that play a necessary and important role in ligand binding by the intact integrins. Recent crystallographic studies have elucidated the structures of recombinant α M and α L I domains and also delineated a novel divalent cation-binding motif within the I domains (metal ion-dependent adhesion site, MIDAS) that appears to mediate the divalent cation binding of the I domains and the I domain-containing integrins to their ligands.
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Dickeson, S., Santoro, S. Ligand recognition by the I domain-containing integrins. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 54, 556–566 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050184
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050184