ITGA1 encodes integrin alpha-1, a cell-surface receptor that forms a heterodimer with beta-1 integrin to mediate cell-matrix adhesion and signaling. ITGA1 functions as a collagen and laminin receptor, recognizing the proline-hydroxylated sequence G-F-P-G-E-R in collagen 1. The protein negatively regulates EGF-stimulated cell growth through phosphatase activation and participates in focal adhesion formation and integrin-mediated signaling pathways 1. Mechanistically, ITGA1 promotes cytoskeleton remodeling through FAK, RasGRF1, and MLC2 phosphorylation during cell dedifferentiation 2. ITGA1 expression is transcriptionally regulated by TEAD1 and can be upregulated by HGF through USP22-mediated Sp1 deubiquitination 34. Clinically, ITGA1 dysregulation associates with multiple cancers. Loss of ITGA1 and ITGA2 promotes prostate cancer progression via TGFβ1-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition 3. Conversely, elevated ITGA1 correlates with poor prognosis in low-grade glioma and osteosarcoma, promoting cell proliferation, invasion, and pulmonary metastasis 52. ITGA1 serves as a marker of drug-induced senescent melanoma cells and predicts immunotherapy response in bladder cancer 67. Additionally, ITGA1 identifies pancreatic beta-cells during in vitro differentiation with 80% magnetic sorting purity 1.