Integrin subunit alpha 4 mRNA (ITGA4 mRNA) (ITGA4 mRNA)

Integrin subunit alpha 4 (ITGA4) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the CD49d protein, which serves as the alpha 4 subunit of the heterodimeric integrin receptors VLA-4 (alpha4beta1) and alpha4beta7 [1, 2]. These integrins are primarily expressed on the surface of leukocytes and are essential for mediating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, particularly the migration of immune cells across the blood-brain barrier and into the gut mucosa [1, 4]. In various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease, the over-activity or over-recruitment of these cells leads to tissue damage [4]. While several monoclonal antibodies target the ITGA4 protein directly, ITGA4 mRNA has emerged as a therapeutic target for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) like ATL1102 [3]. By binding to the mRNA and inducing its degradation via RNase H, these therapies reduce the overall production of the CD49d protein, thereby limiting the infiltration of inflammatory cells into sensitive tissues [3, 5]. This approach offers a distinct pharmacological profile compared to protein-targeting biologics and is currently being investigated for conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis [3, 4]. Sources: [1] UniProt (P13612); [2] NCBI Gene (ID: 3676); [3] Antisense Therapeutics (ATL1102); [4] Limmroth et al. (2014) Neurology (PMID: 24639464); [5] Wood et al. (2019) Nature Reviews Neurology.

Other names

CD49D mRNAVLA-4 alpha subunit mRNAAntigen CD49D mRNAIntegrin alpha-4 mRNA

Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated RNase H-dependent degradation of mRNA, leading to reduced translation and expression of the CD49d protein.