[Integrins and cell cycle control by the environment].

Integrins insure cell adhesion to extra-cellular matrix components; they are thus involved in tissue architecture. They also can insure intercellular adhesions by binding to surface molecules from the immunoglobulin superfamily. Integrins binding to their ligands induce cytoskeleton reorganisation and, consequently, they gather into focal adhesion contacts. This greatly strenghthens mechanical forces. Nevertheless, integrins can also participate in cell locomotion and, moreover, tranduce within cells signals that can extensively influence cell metabolism, cell cycle and apoptosis. Doing so, they can interact with signals from other cellular receptors, such as soluble growth factors. They are therefore key molecules to integrate intrinsic and extrinsic events of the cellular behavior. They profoundly influence oncogenesis and the metastatic process.