Turnover of Focal Adhesions and Cancer Cell Migration

Figure 3

Formation and turnover of FAs. (a) The process of the formation of FAs. Attachment of cells to the ECM induces clustering of integrins at the attachment sites. Clustered integrins recruit cytoplasmic adaptor proteins such as talin to the cytoplasmic portion of the integrins. Actin-binding proteins such as vinculin and α-actinin then bind to talin and connect the ECM structure to the cytoskeleton via integrin. (b) The process of FA turnover. FAK phosphorylated at Tyr³⁹⁷ plays a role in recruiting the endocytosis regulator dynamin into FAs via interaction with the adaptor protein Grb2. The extension of MTs initiates the internalization of integrins in a dynamin-dependent manner. During the process of integrin endocytosis, rapid dephosphorylation of FAK at Tyr³⁹⁷ is observed.