The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000144668 (ITGA9, integrin subunit alpha 9) is as follows. Integrin alpha-9/beta-1 (ITGA9:ITGB1) is a receptor for VCAM1, cytotactin and osteopontin. It recognizes the sequence A-E-I-D- G-I-E-L in cytotactin. ITGA9:ITGB1 may play a crucial role in SVEP1/polydom-mediated myoblast cell adhesion (By similarity). Integrin ITGA9:ITGB1 represses PRKCA-mediated L-type voltage-gated channel Ca(2+) influx and ROCK-mediated calcium sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells via its interaction with SVEP1, thereby inhibiting vasocontraction (PubMed:35802072). {ECO:0000250, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:B8JK39, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35802072}.