[The characteristics of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its role in carcinogenesis]. 2007

Ewa Totoń, and Maria Rybczyńska
Zakład Chemii Klinicznej, Katedra Biochemii Farmaceutycznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu, Poznań, Poland.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a 125-kDa cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase located in cells which create attachments with the extracellular matrix (ECM) or with other cells. The primary function of FAK is to transmit the signal coming from the integrine receptor, participating in adhesion, to the intracellular protein cascade. The FAK kinase transducing the signal indirectly plays a crucial role in many cellular processes. This protein is engaged in cell cycle regulation, adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis, cytoskeleton protein phosphorylation, and apoptosis. Deregulation of the FAK-dependent processes, e.g. adhesion, growth, viability, and cell mobility, is a significant element of cancer progression. FAK protein level expression is varies widely and depends on the development grade of the cancer. A minor FAK overexpression is already observed in the preinvasion grade, increasing significantly in the invasive state. The high FAK expression correlates with cancer cell migration, invasion, and ability for metastasis. The evaluation of FAK expression in cancer cells might become an important prognostic factor, since FAK expression studies provide important information that provides the opportunity to identify the cancer grade.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009361 Neoplasm Invasiveness Ability of neoplasms to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue. Invasiveness, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Invasion,Invasion, Neoplasm
D009362 Neoplasm Metastasis The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site. Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D010766 Phosphorylation The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety. Phosphorylations
D002448 Cell Adhesion Adherence of cells to surfaces or to other cells. Adhesion, Cell,Adhesions, Cell,Cell Adhesions
D002465 Cell Movement The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell. Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D002471 Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cell changes manifested by escape from control mechanisms, increased growth potential, alterations in the cell surface, karyotypic abnormalities, morphological and biochemical deviations from the norm, and other attributes conferring the ability to invade, metastasize, and kill. Neoplastic Transformation, Cell,Neoplastic Cell Transformation,Transformation, Neoplastic Cell,Tumorigenic Transformation,Cell Neoplastic Transformation,Cell Neoplastic Transformations,Cell Transformations, Neoplastic,Neoplastic Cell Transformations,Neoplastic Transformations, Cell,Transformation, Cell Neoplastic,Transformation, Tumorigenic,Transformations, Cell Neoplastic,Transformations, Neoplastic Cell,Transformations, Tumorigenic,Tumorigenic Transformations
D005109 Extracellular Matrix A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere. Matrix, Extracellular,Extracellular Matrices,Matrices, Extracellular
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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