{"symbol":"ITGA9","synonyms":["RLC","ALPHA-RLC","ITGA4L"],"name":"integrin, alpha 9","description":"This gene encodes an alpha integrin. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane glycoproteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain that mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. The protein encoded by this gene, when bound to the beta 1 chain, forms an integrin that is a receptor for VCAM1, cytotactin and osteopontin. Expression of this gene has been found to be upregulated in small cell lung cancers. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]","ncbiEntrezGeneId":3680,"ncbiEntrezGeneUrl":"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3680","proteins":[{"symbol":"ITA9_HUMAN","href":"/api/1.0/protein/ITA9_HUMAN"}],"hgncRootFamilies":[{"name":"Integrins (ITG)","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/Integrins+%28ITG%29"}]}