Integrin alpha-6/beta-1 (ITGA6:ITGB1) is thought to be a receptor for laminin on platelets. Integrin alpha-6/beta-1 (ITGA6:ITGB1) is found in oocytes and is involved in sperm-egg fusion). Integrin alpha-6/beta-4 (ITGA6:ITGB4) is a receptor for laminin in epithelial cells and plays a critical structural role in the hemidesmosome. Integrin alpha-6/beta-4 binds to NRG1 (via the EGF domain) and this binding is essential for NRG1-ERBB signaling. ITGA6:ITGB4 continues to bind to IGF1. This binding is essential for IGF1 signaling. Integrin alpha-6/beta-4 binds to IGF2. This binding is essential for IGF2 signaling.
Microbial infections: Integrin alpha-5:beta-6 acts as a receptor for coxsackievirus A9 and coxsackievirus B1. Furthermore, this integrin acts as a receptor for herpes simplex virus-1/HHV-1.