Abstract

?4?1 INTEGRINS AS THERAPEUTIC TARGET

Elham Nazeer*, Silpa Saji S., Devi Nidana S. S., Akhila S., Neethu Shaji, Bravin D. Emmanuel, Hima C. S. and Dr. Shaiju. S. Dharan

ABSTRACT

Integrins are the principle receptors used by animal cells to bind to the extracellular matrix. They are heterodimers and functions as transmembrane linker between extracellular matrix and actin cytoskeleton. Integrins are used for regulate cellular growth, proliferation, migration, signaling and cytokine activation and release. The α4β1 integrin are dimer which composed of CD49d (Alpha 4) and CD29 (Beta 1). Alpha 4 subunit have 155kDa and Beta 1 have 150kDa. In this review we focused on α4β1 as therapeutic target for various disorders and molecules targeting on α4β1. α4β1 clearly has been demonstrated in tumor angiogenesis associated with chronic inflammations, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, asthma, etc. Targeting integrins has a successful therapeutic strategy with several agents which is approve for clinical practice. The small molecules are selected as lead compounds, the object of future refinement in academic and industrial research.

Keywords: ?4?1 integrin, Multiple sclerosis (MS), N-benziloxycarbamidophenylurea (PUPA) ligand, Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).