Physiology and pathology of collagen receptors

Just before the transition from pre-genomic to the post-genomic era, the two latest members of the mammalian integrin family were identified. These integrins, which were named alpha 10 beta 1 and alpha 11 beta 1, are both collagen receptors and are related. Rather than being twins, they can be regarded as close cousins. They both belong to the subfamily of integrins that contain an I-domain in the alpha subunit. This domain is also the part that endows these integrins with the capacity to bind the GFOGER sequence in collagens. In the current review, we summarize and update the current knowledge about the in vitro and in vivo functions of these integrins.