adisintegrin

Adisintegrin is a term used to refer to a disintegrin-like protein that has been described in the context of venom-derived peptides. As a member of the disintegrin family, adisintegrins are small, cysteine-rich secreted proteins that affect cell–matrix interactions by targeting integrin receptors on cell surfaces.

Mechanism and activity: Adisintegrins function as antagonists of integrins, binding to receptors such as αvβ3 and α5β1 in many cases. By occupying these receptors, they can inhibit cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins like vitronectin and fibronectin, interfere with cell migration, and reduce platelet aggregation in certain contexts. The precise motifs that mediate integrin binding can vary among variants, with some disintegrin-like peptides relying on RGD or related sequences to engage integrins.

Occurrence and research use: Adisintegrins have been studied primarily as components of snake venom, isolated and characterized from venom extracts or produced as recombinant proteins for research. Multiple isoforms have been described, reflecting diversity within the disintegrin family. They are used as pharmacological tools to probe integrin function and as starting points for the development of anti-adhesive, anti-angiogenic, or anti-metastatic strategies in preclinical research.

Clinical status and challenges: While disintegrin-family peptides show potential for therapeutic applications, no adisintegrin-based drugs have been approved. Challenges include achieving selective targeting of specific integrins, improving stability and half-life in circulation, and minimizing immunogenicity and off-target effects. Ongoing research focuses on understanding specificity, optimizing delivery, and developing derivatives with improved pharmacological properties.

See also: Disintegrin, Integrin, Snake venom, Anti-angiogenic therapy.