Integrins, adhesion and apoptosis

Trends Cell Biol. 1997 Apr;7(4):146-50. doi: 10.1016/S0962-8924(97)01002-7.

Abstract

Integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins is required for survival of many cell types. This phenomenon appears to be a mechanism of tumour suppression and to participate in embryogenesis. Here, our current understanding of how integrin-dependent signals prevent apoptosis and implications of anchorage-dependent survival for development, physiology and pathology are discussed.