Review

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 6, 56-68 (January 2005) | doi:10.1038/nrm1549

Focal adhesion kinase: in command and control of cell motility

Satyajit K. Mitra1, Daniel A. Hanson1 & David D. Schlaepfer1  About the authors

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A central question in cell biology is how membrane-spanning receptors transmit extracellular signals inside cells to modulate cell adhesion and motility. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a crucial signalling component that is activated by numerous stimuli and functions as a biosensor or integrator to control cell motility. Through multifaceted and diverse molecular connections, FAK can influence the cytoskeleton, structures of cell adhesion sites and membrane protrusions to regulate cell movement.

Author affiliations

  1. The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology, IMM21 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Correspondence to: David D. Schlaepfer1 Email: dschlaep@scripps.edu

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