Coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor and integrins (CAR/Integrin)

The Coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), encoded by the CXADR gene, is a 46 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that functions as a primary cell adhesion molecule within epithelial tight junctions [1]. It is the essential attachment receptor for group B coxsackieviruses and many adenovirus serotypes, including the widely utilized Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) [2]. Following initial binding to CAR, the virus typically requires interaction with secondary co-receptors, specifically integrins such as alpha-v beta-3 and alpha-v beta-5, to trigger the clathrin-mediated endocytosis necessary for cell entry [3]. In the context of biotechnology, this receptor complex is the primary gateway for adenoviral gene therapies and oncolytic viruses, making its expression a critical determinant of therapeutic success [4]. However, the frequent downregulation of CAR in advanced cancers often limits the efficacy of these treatments, while its high expression in the liver can lead to significant off-target sequestration and hepatotoxicity [5]. This entry is marked as incorrect because it combines two distinct molecular entities—the specific CXADR protein and the broad integrin family—into a single target profile. Citations: [1] UniProt Consortium. CXADR - Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor - Homo sapiens. https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P78310/entry [2] Coyne CB, Bergelson JM. CAR: a virus receptor of the tight junction. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2005;57(6):869-882. [3] Wickham TJ, et al. Integrins alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5 promote adenovirus internalization but not virus attachment. Cell. 1993;73(2):309-319. [4] Nemerow GR. Optimization of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy. Virology. 2000;274(2):259-264. [5] Zhang Y, et al. The role of Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR) in cancer progression and therapy. Frontiers in Oncology. 2020.

Other names

CXADRhCARCoxsackievirus B-adenovirus receptorIntegrin alpha-v beta-3Integrin alpha-v beta-5ITGAVITGB3ITGB5

Facilitation of viral attachment (via CAR) and subsequent receptor-mediated endocytosis (via integrins) for therapeutic gene delivery or oncolysis.