1999/08/13 by Filippo G. Giancotti, Erkki Ruoslahti · 5 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Cell Adhesion Molecules Research #Signaling Pathways in Disease #Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
paper · doi:10.1126/science.285.5430.1028
openalex publication_date 1999/08/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Cells reside in a protein network, the extracellular matrix (ECM), which they secrete and mold into the intercellular space. The ECM exerts profound control over cells. The effects of the matrix are primarily mediated by integrins, a family of cell surface receptors that attach cells to the matrix and mediate mechanical and chemical signals from it. These signals regulate the activities of cytoplasmic kinases, growth factor receptors, and ion channels and control the organization of the intracellular actin cytoskeleton. Many integrin signals converge on cell cycle regulation, directing cells to live or die, to proliferate, or to exit the cell cycle and differentiate.