HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR INDUCES TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION OF FOCAL ADHESION KINASE (FAK) AND PAXILLIN AND ENHANCES CELL-MATRIX INTERACTIONS

This study examined the effects of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter fa ctor (HGF/SF) on the adhesion of HT115 (human colon) and MDA MB 231 (h uman breast) tumour cells to an extracellular matrix, Matrigel, togeth er with the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) an d paxillin. Treatment of cells with HGF increased cell adhesion to mat rix. Following adhesion to Matrigel, FAK and paxillin were quickly pho sphorylated and located to the focal adhesion area. HGF/SF increased b oth tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and also increased fo rmation of focal adhesion. HGF also induced an increased spreading on matrix. It is concluded therefore that HGF/SF stimulated FAK and paxil lin phosphorylation resulting in an increased tumour-matrix adhesion.