ITGA7

Integrin alpha-7 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the ITGA7 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
ITGA7 encodes integrin alpha chain 7. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. Alpha chain 7 undergoes post-translational cleavage within the extracellular domain to yield disulfide-linked light and heavy chains that join with beta 1 to form an integrin that binds to the extracellular matrix protein laminin-1. Alpha 7 beta 1 is the major integrin complex expressed in differentiated muscle cells. Splice variants of alpha 7 that differ in both the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains exist in the mouse; however, to date only a single human transcript type has been isolated: it contains extracellular and cytoplasmic domains corresponding to the mouse X2 and B variants, respectively. A unique extracellular splice variant has been identified in human, although it clearly represents a minor species and its biological significance is unclear.

Interactions
ITGA7 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::FHL2 and is_associated_with::FHL3.