Integrin alpha 6 beta 1

Integrin alpha 6 beta 1 is a major laminin receptor of the beta-1 class, formed by CD49f and CD29. Unlike its hemidesmosomal counterpart alpha 6 beta 4, it localizes to focal adhesions and supports dynamic adhesion, spreading and migration on laminin-111, laminin-511 and related isoforms. It is prominent on endothelial cells during angiogenesis, on Schwann cells and neurons that interact with laminin in basement membranes, and on epithelial and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Antibody-defined epitopes of alpha 6 beta 1 have long been used to isolate stem cell populations, and the receptor contributes to tumor invasion and to vascular development in the retina.