R. Mortarini et A. Anichini, FROM ADHESION TO SIGNALING - ROLES OF INTEGRINS IN THE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN-MELANOMA, Melanoma research, 3(2), 1993, pp. 87-97
Integrins are cell surface heterodimers which act as regulators of adh
esion and as signal transducers in normal and neoplastic cells. The ex
pression and function of integrins are subject to change during the ne
oplastic transformation of melanocytes and the progression of melanoma
. The integrin profile of human melanoma is also characterized by mark
ed inter- and intratumour heterogeneity. These processes influence the
interaction of melanoma cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) compone
nts and with other cell types that express integrin ligands. Integrins
on melanoma cells not only act as mediators of adhesive interactions
but also act as signalling molecules. The signal transducing function
of integrins plays a role in a number of biological responses of melan
oma cells to ECM-derived stimuli, including production of proteolytic
enzymes, invasion of basement membranes, expression of genes and proli
feration.