Overview:

FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase ) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase involved in signal transduction from integrin-enriched focal adhesion sites that mediate cell contact with the extracellular matrix. FAK-enhanced signals have been shown to mediate the survival of anchorage-dependent cells and are critical for efficient cell migration in response to growth factor receptor and integrin stimulation (1). Elevated expression of FAK in human tumors has been correlated with increased malignancy and invasiveness (2). Elevated FAK expression in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma tumor biopsy samples has been demonstrated.

Gene Aliases:

PTK2; FADK; FAK1; FRNK; pp125FAK

Genbank Number:

NM_153831

References:

1.Schaller, M D.: Biochemical signals and biological responses elicited by the focal adhesion kinase.Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001 Jul 25;1540(1):1-21.2.Gabarra-Niecko, V. et al: FAK regulates biological processes important for the pathogenesis of cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2003 Dec;22(4):359-74.