Regulation of SRC-Family and focal adhesion kinase function

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Cells in our bodies stick to one another and to the cementing material called extracellular matrix surrounding them. An ezyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major regulator of cell stickiness. It can catalyze the covalent attachment of a chemical group called phosphate to specific cellular protein. This proposal aims at studying how FAK is regulated by insulin stimulation and how FAK is regulated by a tumour suppressor called PTEN. Results of the study will shed light on how abberrations in the regulation and PTEN contribute to the development of development defects, heart attack, and the spreading of cancer cells.