Regulation of Signal Transduction by Integrins

Abstract

The integrin family of cell membrane receptors plays an important role in signal transduction cascades. Ligation of integrins by extracellular matrix proteins can lead to direct activation of Rho-family GTPases and MAP kinase pathways. However, perhaps the most significant signaling function of integrins is to modulate signal transduction events initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. This probably plays a role in coordinating information about cell shape and position with information about the availability of soluble growth factors.