Focal adhesion kinase: an integrin-linked protein tyrosine kinase

Abstract

Recent evidence has shown that binding of integrins to components of the extracellular matrix serves to initiate cellular signals, resulting in changes in cytoskeletal architecture and activation of intracellular signalling pathways. Here we review the evidence that protein tyrosine kinases, including focal-adhesion-associated kinases, play a central role in the generation of some of these molecular signals.