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1: J Clin Invest. 2005 Dec;115(12):3363-9.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Structure and function of the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3.

Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058, USA. bennetts@mail.med.upenn.edu

The platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) is required for platelet aggregation. Like other integrins, alpha(IIb)beta(3) resides on cell surfaces in an equilibrium between inactive and active conformations. Recent experiments suggest that the shift between these conformations involves a global reorganization of the alpha(IIb)beta(3) molecule and disruption of constraints imposed by the heteromeric association of the alpha(IIb) and beta(3) transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The biochemical, biophysical, and ultrastructural results that support this conclusion are discussed in this Review.

PMID: 16322781 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC1297263