Itga8 - integrin alpha 8

This gene encodes a member of the integrin family of cell surface proteins that mediate cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix and other cells. The encoded protein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate the disulfide-linked heterodimeric alpha subunit which, in turn associates with a beta subunit to form the functional integrin receptor. Mice lacking the encoded protein mostly die after birth due to kidney defects, but some of animals that survive exhibit defects in the sensory hair cells of the inner ear. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]