Focal adhesions: Structure and dynamics

Interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix are essential for the control of tissue remodelling, cell migration, and embryogenesis. At the cell—extracellular matrix contact points, specialized structures are formed and termed focal adhesions, where transmembrane adhesion receptors provide a structural link between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix components. Numerous structural and regulatory proteins assemble at the cytoplasmic face of focal adhesions in a Rho‐dependent fashion.