Integrin Heterodimer and an Alpha Subunit Thereof

Abstract

A recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a novel subunit α11 in association with a subunit β is described. The integrin or the subunit α11 can be used as marker or target of all types of cells. The integrin or subunit α11 thereof can be used as marker or target in different physiological or therapeutic methods. They can also be used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 980,403, filed Apr. 15, 2002, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / SE00 / 01135, filed May 31, 2000, which claims the benefit of priority of Swedish Application No. 9902056-2, filed Jun. 3, 1999. All of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a subunit α11 and a subunit β, the subunit α11 thereof, homologues and fragments of said integrin and of said subunit α11, processes of producing the same, polynucleotides and oligonucleotides encoding the same, vectors and cells comprising the same, binding entities binding specifically to binding sites of the same, and the use of the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Integrins are heterodimers composed of non-covalently associated α- and β-chains which connect cells to the extracellular ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes the isolation and characterization of a full-length cDNA for a specific integrin subunit, α11. This subunit is a member of the integrin family, which plays a crucial role in cell-cell communication. The predicted mature protein of α11 contains several conserved repeats and a unique cytoplasmic domain. It also lacks a specific cleavage site and contains three potential divalent cation binding sites. The presence of certain amino acids in the extracellular stalk portion distinguishes α11 integrin from other integrin chains. The α11 gene has been mapped to chromosome 15q23, which is also associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The mRNA and protein levels of α11 are high in adult human uterus and heart, and intermediate in skeletal muscle and some other tissues. During in vitro myogenic differentiation, α11 mRNA and protein are up-regulated. The ligand binding properties of α11β1 show that it binds collagen type I and is localized into focal contacts on collagen type I in cultured muscle cells."

Problems solved by technology

Although integrins take part in cell signalling events, the cytoplasmic tail is short and lacks enzymatic activity.

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