ITGB1

ITGB1 Full Name

Integrin, beta 1

ITGB1 Introduction

Integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) is a pivotal adhesion and signaling protein encoded by the ITGB1 gene, and it is more than a simple structural component of the cell membrane. Unlike receptors dedicated to single ligands, ITGB1 pairs with at least a dozen different alpha integrin subunits to form a wide spectrum of heterodimeric receptors—the majority of which recognize key extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as fibronectin, collagen and laminin. These heterodimers, historically termed very late activation (VLA) antigens, enable cells to physically anchor to their surroundings and translate those attachments into intracellular cues that influence cell shape, survival, and motility. ITGB1 is ubiquitously expressed across diverse tissues, from epithelial and endothelial cells to immune and stem/progenitor cells, reflecting its foundational role in multicellular organization and tissue architecture.

Figure 1. Screen hits related to the ITGB1/AXL activated AKT pathway Genes in bold letters were hits in the screen analysis.(Sources: Matía A, et al.; 2022)

The functional repertoire of ITGB1 extends well beyond mere adhesion. By bridging the ECM with the cell's cytoskeleton, ITGB1 serves as a mechanosensor and signaling conduit that engages focal adhesion kinases, PI3K/Akt cascades, MAPK pathways and other networks that control cell migration, proliferation, differentiation and survival. In the context of vascular biology, for example, endothelial ITGB1 is essential for cell adhesion and movement during angiogenesis, and knockout models exhibit profound defects in vessel formation and integrity. In muscle and organ development, ITGB1's interactions with laminin and collagen help organize tissue layers and support structural resilience, underscoring its importance in embryogenesis and postnatal tissue repair. Functionally tied to these roles, ITGB1 is a frequent target in research using monoclonal antibodies, magnetic beads, recombinant integrins, and blocking reagents that interrogate cell–matrix interactions, receptor clustering, and integrin-mediated signal transduction in complex biological systems.

Aberrant ITGB1 expression or activity emerges in many pathological scenarios, making it a focus of biomarker research and therapeutic strategy development. In multiple solid malignancies—such as breast, lung, colorectal and esophageal cancers—elevated ITGB1 levels correlate with enhanced invasive behavior, metastasis and poor patient survival, likely due to its facilitation of migratory and survival signaling in tumor cells. Beyond oncology, dysregulated ITGB1 contributes to chronic inflammation, immune cell trafficking and tissue remodeling in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibrosis, while genetic manipulation studies highlight roles in renal collecting duct development and cardiac morphogenesis, illustrating how its loss can disrupt organ function. Because ITGB1 integrates physical adhesion with biochemical signaling, it remains a rich subject for research, and a variety of ITGB1-specific detection and functional tools—including flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry antibodies, activity and blocking assays, and recombinant proteins—support investigations into its contribution to normal physiology and disease processes.

Alternate Names for ITGB1

ITGB1; integrin; beta 1 (fibronectin receptor; beta polypeptide; antigen CD29 includes MDF2; MSK12); CD29; FNRB; MDF2; VLAB; GPIIA; MSK12; VLA-BETA; integrin beta-1; glycoprotein IIa; integrin VLA-4 beta subunit; very late activation protein; beta polypeptide; OS2966

• 1. Matía A, et al.; Identification of β2 microglobulin, the product of B2M gene, as a Host Factor for Vaccinia Virus Infection by Genome-Wide CRISPR genetic screens. PLoS Pathog. 2022, 18(12):e1010800.