| Background | CD18 integrin beta 2 subunit is a 90 kDa type I transmembrane protein expressed on all leucocytes. CD18 can combine with integrin molecules CD11a-c to form heterodimers at the cell surface, and these heterodimers are known to participate in the process of cell adhesion as well as cell-surface mediated signaling. CD18 forms heterodimers with four types of CD11 molecule to constitute leukocyte (beta2) integrins: alphaLbeta2 (CD11a/CD18, LFA-1) , alphaMbeta2 (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1, CR3) , alphaXbeta2 (CD11c/CD18) and alphaDbeta2 (CD11d/CD18). In most cases, the response mediated by the integrin is a composite of the functions of its individual subunits, and these integrins are essential for proper leukocyte migration, mediating intercellular contacts. |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org
