GPIIIb

GPIIIb, also known as glycoprotein IIIb, is a protein that plays a crucial role in platelet function and blood clotting. It is a member of the integrin family of cell adhesion molecules, which are involved in various cellular processes, including cell signaling, cell migration, and cell adhesion. GPIIIb is primarily expressed on the surface of platelets, where it forms a heterodimer with GPIIb (also known as integrin alpha IIb beta 3). This heterodimer is a key receptor for fibrinogen, a protein involved in blood clotting. The binding of fibrinogen to GPIIIb/GPIIb on platelets triggers a series of events that lead to platelet activation and aggregation, which are essential for the formation of a blood clot. GPIIIb is also involved in other cellular processes, such as cell migration and cell adhesion, and its dysregulation has been linked to various diseases, including thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and certain types of cancer. The GPIIIb/GPIIb receptor is a target for several antiplatelet drugs, such as abciximab and eptifibatide, which inhibit platelet aggregation and are used to prevent thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.