Mouse anti Integrin beta 4 (CD104)

Integrins are a family of heterodimeric membrane glycoproteins consisting of non-covalently associated ? and ? subunits. More than 18 ? and 8 ? subunits with numerous splice variant isoforms have been identified in mammals. In general, integrins function as receptors for extracellular matrix proteins. Certain integrins can also bind to soluble ligands or to counter-receptors on adjacent cells, such as the intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), resulting in aggregation of cells. Signals transduced by integrins play a role in many biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. CD104 is a 205kD type I transmembrane glycoprotein, also known as beta 4 integrin. CD104 assoaciates with CD49f (integrin alpha 6) forming a heterodimer. CD104 is expressed on epithelial cells (especially on the proliferative basal cells in skin), endothelial cells, Schwann cells, certain tumor cells and a subset of pre-T cells. CD49f/CD104 is an adhesion receptor for laminins (especially laminin 5) and keratin filaments and is involved in the regulation of hemidesmosome formation.