SIGNALING BY INTEGRIN RECEPTORS

Adhesive interactions are critical for the proliferation, survival and function of all cells. Integrin receptors as the major family of adhe sion receptors have been the focus of study for more than a decade. Th ese studies have tremendously enhanced our understanding of the integr in-mediated adhesive interactions and have unraveled novel integrin fu nctions in cell survival mechanisms and in the activation of divergent signaling pathways. The signals from integrin receptors are integrate d from those originating from growth factor receptors in order to orga nize the cytoskeleton, stimulate cell proliferation and rescue cells f rom matrix detachment-induced programmed cell death. These functions a re critical in the regulation of multiple processes such as tissue dev elopment, inflammation, angiogenesis, tumor cell growth and metastasis and programmed cell death.