Integrin signals and tumor growth control.

Integrins can trigger signals by activation of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, including pp125FAK. Preliminary evidence suggests that serine/threonine kinases such as ERKs may also be activated via integrins. Thus, there seems to be at least partial overlap between RTK signaling pathways and integrin signaling. In tumor cells, ectopic expression or over-expression of certain integrins such as alpha 5/beta 1 can result in reduced tumorigenesis. Presumably the effects of integrins on tumor growth are mediated by the integrin signaling pathway(s) involving FAK and ERKs. However, the precise mechanisms involved have not yet been elucidated.