αvβ6 integrin

The αvβ6 receptor is one member of a family of integrins that are expressed as cell surface heterodimeric proteins. While the αv subunit can form a heterodimer with a variety of β subunits (β is β3, β5, β6 and β8), the β6subunit can only be expressed as a heterodimer with the αv subunit. The extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of the β6 subunit mediate different cellular activities: the extracellular and transmembrane domains have been shown to mediate TGF-β activation and adhesion; whereas the cytoplasmic domain of the β6 subunit contains a unique 11-amino acid sequence that is important in mediating αvβ6 regulated cell proliferation, MMP production, migration, and promotes survival.