Cell matrix adhesions in cancer: The proteins that form the glue

• Published in: Oncotarget Vol. 8; no. 29; pp. 48471 - 48487
• Main Authors: Maziveyi, Mazvita, Alahari, Suresh K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Impact Journals LLC 18-07-2017
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Animals; Biomarkers; Cell Adhesion; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell-Matrix Junctions - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix; Focal Adhesions - metabolism; Humans; Integrins - metabolism; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Review; Signal Transduction; focal adhesions; integrins; cancer
• ISSN: 1949-2553; 1949-2553
• DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17265

The main purposes of Integrin-mediated cell contacts are to interpret bi-directional signals between the extracellular environment and intracellular proteins, as well as, anchor the cell to a matrix. Many cell adhesion molecules have been discovered with a wide spectrum of responsibilities, including recruiting, activating, elongating, and maintaining. This review will perlustrate some of the key incidences that precede focal adhesion formation. Tyrosine phosphorylation is a key signaling initiation event that leads to the recruitment of multiple proteins to focal adhesion sites. Recruitment and concentration of proteins such as Paxillin and Vinculin to Integrin clutches is necessary for focal adhesion development. The assembled networks are responsible for transmitting signals back and forth from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to Actin and its binding proteins. Cancer cells exhibit highly altered focal adhesion dynamics. This review will highlight some key discoveries in cancer cell adhesion, as well as, identify current gaps in knowledge.