FAK
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) have an important receptor-proximal position in the regulation of growth factor and integrin-stimulated cell motility.
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is one of the central signaling molecules found at focal adhesion sites, which are specific areas on the cell membrane where cells attach to extracellular matrix proteins.
Focal adhesion kinase interacts with multiple signaling and adaptor molecules and effects several signaling pathways.
Overexpression of FAK and its substrate SRC has been implicated in malignant transformation and acquisition of an invasive tumor phenotype of different tissues.
Overexpression of the multidomain protein paxillin, which is also a FAK ligand and a c-Src substrate, has been associated with less malignant tumor behavior.
Features
FAK activation
connections of FAK to focal contact formation
FAK turnover
FAK in cell invasion
FAK in cell motility
See also
cell motility
focal adhesion
focal contact formation
cell invasion
References
Madan R, Smolkin MB, Cocker R, Fayyad R, Oktay MH. Focal adhesion proteins as markers of malignant transformation and prognostic indicators in breast carcinoma. Hum Pathol. 2006 Jan;37(1):9-15. PMID: #16360410#
Avizienyte E, Frame MC. SRC and FAK signalling controls adhesion fate and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2005 Oct;17(5):542-7. PMID: #16099634#
Mitra SK, Hanson DA, Schlaepfer DD. Focal adhesion kinase: in command and control of cell motility. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2005 Jan;6(1):56-68. PMID: #15688067#
Schlaepfer DD, Mitra SK. Multiple connections link FAK to cell motility and invasion. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2004 Feb;14(1):92-101. PMID: #15108811#