Signal transduction in cell-matrix interactions

Cell-matrix interactions play critical roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes by regulating cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Integrin family cell-adhesion receptors have been identified as the major receptors for various extracellular matrix proteins and shown to be capable of transducing biochemical signals across the plasma membrane to regulate cellular functions. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation has been implicated in a central role in integrin-initiated signal transduction. Other signaling pathways have also been shown to be activated by cell-matrix interactions. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the key molecular components and their interactions in the integrin-signaling pathways and examines the role of various signaling pathways and molecular players in the context of cellular functions regulated by cell-matrix interactions.