Integrin alpha-IIb/beta-3 is a receptor for fibronectin, fibrinogen, plasminogen, prothrombin, thrombospondin and vitronectin. It recognizes the sequence R-G-D in a wide array of ligands. It recognizes the sequence H-H-L-G-G-G-A-K-Q-A-G-D-V in fibrinogen gamma chain. Following activation integrin alpha-IIb/beta-3 brings about platelet/platelet interaction through binding of soluble fibrinogen. This step leads to rapid platelet aggregation which physically plugs ruptured endothelial cell surface.

Isoform 1 and isoform 2 were identified in platelets and megakaryocytes, but not in reticulocytes or in Jurkat and U937 white blood cell line. Isoform 3 is expressed by leukemia, prostate adenocarcinoma and melanoma cells but not by platelets or normal prostate or breast epithelial cells.

Defects in ITGA2B are a cause of Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) [MIM:273800]; also known as thrombasthenia of Glanzmann and Naegeli. GT is the most common inherited disease of platelets. It is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by mucocutaneous bleeding of mild-to-moderate severity and the inability of this integrin to recognize macromolecular or synthetic peptide ligands. GT has been classified clinically into types I and II. In type I, platelets show absence of the glycoprotein IIb/beta-3 complexes at their surface and lack fibrinogen and clot retraction capability. In type II, the platelets express the glycoprotein IIb/beta-3 complex at reduced levels (5-20% controls), have detectable amounts of fibrinogen, and have low or moderate clot retraction capability. The platelets of GT 'variants' have normal or near normal (60-100%) expression of dysfunctional receptors.

Belongs to the integrin alpha chain family.
Contains 7 FG-GAP repeats.

Membrane.