Divalent cations regulate the organization of integrins alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5 on the cell surface.

Extracellular divalent cations are important regulators of integrin ligand binding activity. In this study we evaluated how divalent cations affect the organization of integrins into focal adhesion sites. Integrins alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5 were compared because they share a high degree of structural homology and because both integrins mediate cell adhesion to vitronectin. On MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, we found that both the extent and pattern of integrin organization was regulated by the type of extracellular divalent ion. Integrin alpha v beta 3 organized in focal contacts when Mn2+ or Mg2+ was present, but not in Ca2+. In contrast, alpha v beta 5 organized in focal contacts only when Ca2+ or Mg2+ was present. Integrin alpha v beta 5 clustered in a centrally located punctate field on the ventral surface of the cell in the presence of Mn2+. These observations reveal a previously unappreciated role for divalent ions in regulating the organization of integrins into focal adhesion sites.