Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and c-Src Dependent Signal Transduction in Cell Adhesion

This review predominantly acquaints the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cellular-Src (c-Src) in cell adhesion. Cell adhesion is a crucial phenomenon that causes the cells to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) or with each other. There are different proteins involved in cell adhesion including cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)/receptors that are present on the cell surface and various cytoplasmic proteins. FAK and c-Src are two proteins in the cytoplasm, which serve as regulators of different proteins involved in cell adhesion. They activate talin, vinculin and paxillin in turn connect the integrins with the cytoskeleton and in this way strengthen the integrin interaction with ECM. FAK-Src signalling also modulates cell-cell adhesion by regulating actin interactions. Being a key modulator of cell adhesion, FAK and c-Src signalling are linked with different pathological conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and embryonic developmental disorders. Thus, comprehensive research into FAK-Src signalling is of great importance in the exploration of different signalling targets for therapeutic interpretations. Different inhibitors and antibodies against various cell adhesion proteins, such as FAK, c-Src, and integrins, have already been used in preclinical and clinical trials to treat a variety of diseases, including cancer and chronic inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, this review presents different challenges to FAK-Src and cell adhesion signalling targeted drug development, which include, cytotoxicity and cell resistance to the drug. Finally, this review remarks that FAK and c-Src are important regulators of cell adhesion and are linked to various pathologies, nevertheless, more comprehensive research on these proteins would be a significant step forward in the development of effective therapies for the diseases associated with them.