Disease	Score

Substances	Interaction	Organism	Category

Substances	Interaction	Organism	Category

     epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia At least five mutations in the ITGA6 gene have been found to cause epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (EB-PA). In addition to skin blistering, people with EB-PA are born with a life-threatening obstruction of the digestive tract called pyloric atresia. Mutations in the ITGA6 gene account for about 5 percent of all cases of EB-PA. The ITGA6 gene mutations responsible for EB-PA lead to a loss of functional α6β4 integrin. These mutations alter the normal structure and function of the α6 integrin subunit or prevent cells from producing enough of this subunit. The resulting shortage of functional α6β4 integrin causes cells in the epidermis to be fragile and easily damaged. Friction or other minor trauma can cause the skin layers to separate, leading to the widespread formation of blisters. It is less clear how mutations in the ITGA6 gene are related to pyloric atresia. prostate cancer Genetics Home Reference provides information about prostate cancer. cancers Researchers believe that both α6β1 integrin and α6β4 integrin may play critical roles in the progression of cancerous tumors called carcinomas. These cancers arise in epithelial cells and can affect many tissues and organs, including the breast, lung, liver, prostate, and skin. Changes in the location and activity of α6β1 integrin and α6β4 integrin within cancer cells are associated with the progression of carcinomas. The integrin proteins activate key signaling molecules, which trigger cancer cells to migrate through the body and invade other tissues. These signals also make cancer cells more resistant to self-destruction (apoptosis). Recent studies suggest that, in addition to their roles in the progression of existing carcinomas, α6β1 integrin and α6β4 integrin may be involved in the initial formation of these tumors.

     The ITGA6 gene provides instructions for making one part (the α6 subunit) of two proteins known as α6β4 integrin and α6β1 integrin. Integrins are a group of proteins that regulate the attachment of cells to one another (cell-cell adhesion) and to the surrounding network of proteins and other molecules (cell-matrix adhesion). Integrins also transmit chemical signals that regulate cell growth and the activity of certain genes. The α6β4 integrin protein is found primarily in epithelial cells, which are cells that line the surfaces and cavities of the body. This protein plays a particularly important role in strengthening and stabilizing the skin. It is a component of hemidesmosomes, which are microscopic structures that anchor the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) to underlying layers. As part of a complex network of proteins in hemidesmosomes, α6β4 integrin helps to hold the layers of skin together. The other integrin made with the α6 subunit, α6β1 integrin, functions during the formation of organs and tissues before birth. The α6β1 integrin protein has not been as well studied as α6β4 integrin.

Condition	Change (log2fold)	Comparison	Species	Experimental variables	Experiment name

Condition	Change (log2fold)	Comparison	Species	Experimental variables	Experiment name

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• AP-1
• c-Jun
• c-Myc
• IRF-1

Tissue specificity:

Integrin alpha-6/beta-4 is predominantly expressed by epithelia. Isoforms containing segment X1 are ubiquitously expressed. Isoforms containing segment X1X2 are expressed in heart, kidney, placenta, colon, duodenum, myoblasts and myotubes, and in a limited number of cell lines; they are always coexpressed with the ubiquitous isoform containing segment X1. In some tissues (e.g. Salivary gland), isoforms containing cytoplasmic segment A and isoforms containing segment B are detected while in others, only isoforms containing one cytoplasmic segment are found (segment A in epidermis and segment B in kidney).

Molecular Function:

• Cadherin Binding Involved In Cell-Cell Adhesion
• Metal Ion Binding

Biological Processes:

• Amelogenesis
• Brown Fat Cell Differentiation
• Cell Adhesion Mediated By Integrin
• Cell-Matrix Adhesion
• Cell-Substrate Adhesion
• Cell-Substrate Junction Assembly
• Cellular Response To Extracellular Stimulus
• Cellular Response To Organic Cyclic Compound
• Digestive Tract Development
• Ectodermal Cell Differentiation
• Extracellular Matrix Organization
• Filopodium Assembly
• Hemidesmosome Assembly
• Integrin-Mediated Signaling Pathway
• Leukocyte Migration
• Nail Development
• Negative Regulation Of Extrinsic Apoptotic Signaling Pathway
• Positive Regulation Of Apoptotic Process
• Positive Regulation Of Cell-Cell Adhesion
• Positive Regulation Of Cell Migration
• Positive Regulation Of Cell-Substrate Adhesion
• Positive Regulation Of Gtpase Activity
• Positive Regulation Of Phosphorylation
• Positive Regulation Of Transcription From Rna Polymerase Ii Promoter
• Renal System Development
• Single Organismal Cell-Cell Adhesion
• Skin Development

*synonyms