Cell adhesion

Integrins

Integrins also activate intracellular signalling pathways

  • Clustering of integrins at sites of contact intiate signalling
  • Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a protein tyrosine kinase is involved in integrin signalling functions
  • FAK is recruited to focal contacts by intracellular anchor proteins
  • Cross phosphorylation of FAK molecules causes production of phosphotyrosine docking sites for the Src family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases
  • These phosphorylate FAK on additional tyrosines causing production of docking sites for intracellular signalling proteins
  • Signal is relayed into the cell

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