Integrin Signaling  A schematic illustration of integrin activation and clustering at the cell membrane. On the left, a single integrin heterodimer is shown in a bent, inactive conformation, with talin binding to the intracellular tail. Arrows indicate transitions between conformations. Toward the center, integrins are depicted in the upright, extended state with the extracellular domains colored primarily in blue and red. At the top of each extended integrin is a yellow oval labeled “Ligand.” On the right, multiple extended integrins are shown clustered together, each bound to a ligand, forming a multivalent complex at the membrane. The cell membrane is illustrated as a gray lipid bilayer, and intracellular talin domains appear in green and purple beneath the membrane.

Integrins comprise a large family of cell-surface adhesion receptors that are found in many animal species, ranging from sponges to mammals. Integrins control cell migration and anchorage and, therefore, are crucial for many biological processes including embryogenesis, haemostasis, immune response and maintenance of the tissue integrity. Improperly balanced stickiness of the cells, caused by the integrin mutations or misregulation, contributes to a number of serious human disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, heart attack, stroke and cancer. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of the integrin function is of both physiological and pathological significance.

Intact integrin receptors are noncovalent heterodimers. The extracellular domains bind variety of ligands, whereas the intracellular cytoplasmic tails anchor to cytoskeletal/ signaling proteins. Integrins are unique in their bi-directional signal transduction capabilities. Although significant progress has been made in the molecular understanding of integrins activation, referred to as "inside-out" signaling, much less is known about early intracellular events following the integrin mediated extracellular matrix engagement, a  process  termed as "outside-in" signaling.  Among the earliest biochemical responses related to outside-in signaling are tyrosine kinases activation and phosphorylation of β integrin cytoplasmic tails. We have investigated and defined how tyrosine phosphorylation affects the structure of β3 integrin cytoplasmic tail and its interactions with several intracellular target proteins.