Epithelial integrins

We have undertaken the study of integrins specifically or predominantly expressed in epithelial cells, as they may be involved in establishing and maintaining properties peculiar to epithelia, such as polarization and morphogenetic movements. We describe here recent results regarding two such integrins. One of these contains the novel β chain, β₆, whose structure was deduced from cDNA clones. Some initial results on distribution and possible α chain associated to β₆ are discussed. Structural data are then summarized on another epithelial integrin, α₆β₄. The α₆ subunit and a variant form of the β₄ subunit were recently cloned in our laboratory. Adhesion assay results indicate that α₆β₄ may mediate attachment of epithelial cells to basement membranes.