Anti-Integrin alpha 4 ITGA4 Antibody

The integrin alpha 4 (also known as CD49d and ITGA4) belongs to the integrin alpha chain family of proteins. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha and beta chains. Alpha4 chain associates with either beta1 or beta7 chain. It has been demonstrated that the putative ligand-binding sites of both integrin alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7 is located on the alpha4 chain. These ligands included Madcam, VCAM, and fibronectin. Madcam is known as the principal ligand for integrin alpha4beta7. Recently it was also demonstrated that HIV-1 envelope can mimic Madcam by binding to and signaling though integrin alpha4beta7, the gut mucosal homing receptor for peripheral T cells.

At least two isoforms are known to exist. The immunogen to this antibody is outside of the Integrin alpha4 recombinant protein fragment and thus will not recognize it.

Integrin alpha 4 antibody was raised against a 13 amino acid synthetic peptide from near the carboxy terminus of human Integrin alpha 4. The immunogen is located within the last 50 amino acids of Integrin alpha 4.

Integrins alpha-4/beta-1 (VLA-4) and alpha-4/beta-7 are receptors for fibronectin. They recognize one or more domains within the alternatively spliced CS-1 and CS-5 regions of fibronectin. They are also receptors for VCAM1. Integrin alpha- 4/beta-1 recognizes the sequence Q-I-D-S in VCAM1. Integrin alpha- 4/beta-7 is also a receptor for MADCAM1. It recognizes the sequence L-D-T in MADCAM1. On activated endothelial cells integrin VLA-4 triggers homotypic aggregation for most VLA-4-positive leukocyte cell lines. It may also participate in cytolytic T-cell interactions with target cells. ITGA4:ITGB1 binds to fractalkine (CX3CL1) and may act as its coreceptor in CX3CR1-dependent fractalkine signaling (PubMed:23125415) . ITGA4:ITGB1 binds to PLA2G2A via a site (site 2) which is distinct from the classical ligand-binding site (site 1) and this induces integrin conformational changes and enhanced ligand binding to site 1 (PubMed:18635536, PubMed:25398877) .

Integrin alpha 4 antibody can be stored at 4°C for three months and -20°C, stable for up to one year. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Antibodies should not be exposed to prolonged high temperatures.