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Nature Cell Biology 5, 694–697 (1 August 2003) | doi:10.1038/ncb0803-694

Talin forges the links between integrins and actin

David A. Calderwood & Mark H. Ginsberg

Integrin adhesion receptors are indispensable for the development and function of multicellular animals because they represent intermediaries in the physical link between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the actin cytoskeleton. These receptors are heterodimers of transmembrane α and β subunits, each of which generally has a short cytoplasmic tail.