Integrins are integral cell-surface proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. They are known to participate in cell adhesion as well as cell-surface mediated signalling. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain.
 
CD51 encodes integrin alpha chain V. The I-domain containing integrin alpha V undergoes post-translational cleavage to yield disulfide-linked heavy and light chains, that combine with multiple integrin beta chains to form different integrins. The CD61 protein product is the integrin beta chain beta 3. Integrin beta 3 is found along with the alpha IIb chain in platelets.

Integrin alpha V/beta 3 is a receptor for cytotactin, fibronectin, laminin, matrix metalloproteinase 2, osteopontin, osteomodulin, prothrombin, thrombospondin, vitronectin and von Willebrand factor. Integrin alpha V/beta 3 recognizes the sequence R-G-D in a wide array of ligands. The alpha V integrins are receptors for vitronectin, cytotactin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, laminin, matrix metalloproteinase 2, osteopontin, osteomodulin, prothrombin, thrombospondin and von Willebrand factor. They recognize the sequence R-G-D in a wide array of ligands.