Integrin signaling

Integrins act as the primary transmembrane receptors for cell adhesion, enabling cells to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) or counter-receptors on other cells. Through these connections, integrins help control essential cellular functions, including movement, polarity, proliferation, and viability. Ligand binding triggers integrin clustering and recruits actin filaments and various signaling proteins to their cytoplasmic domains, thereby activating downstream pathways.