The product of this gene belongs to the integrin alpha chain family. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha subunit and a beta subunit that function in cell surface adhesion and signaling. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate light and heavy chains that comprise the alpha 5 subunit. This subunit associates with the beta 1 subunit to form a fibronectin receptor. This integrin may promote tumor invasion, and higher expression of this gene may be correlated with shorter survival time in lung cancer patients. Note that the integrin alpha 5 and integrin alpha V subunits are encoded by distinct genes.