Focal adhesion kinase activity is required for actomyosin contractility-based invasion of cells into dense 3D matrices.

ABSTRACT: The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates the dynamics of integrin-based cell adhesions important for motility. FAK's activity regulation is involved in stress-sensing and focal-adhesion turnover. The effect of FAK on 3D migration and cellular mechanics is unclear. We analyzed FAK knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cells expressing a kinase-dead FAK mutant, R454-FAK, in comparison to FAK wild-type cells. FAK knock-out and FAK^R454/R454 cells invade dense 3D matrices less efficiently. These results are supported by FAK knock-down in wild-type fibroblasts and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells showing reduced invasiveness. Pharmacological interventions indicate that in 3D matrices, cells deficient in FAK or kinase-activity behave similarly to wild-type cells treated with i

SUBMITTER: Mierke CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5311912 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature