title: Unanchoring integrins in focal adhesions.
abstract: Focal adhesions are large structures through which integrins and scaffold proteins link the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. A detailed analysis of integrin dynamics now indicates that focal-adhesion-associated integrins constantly switch between active and immobilized, and unbound and free-diffusing states, with different fibronectin-binding integrin heterodimers showing distinct focal-adhesion dynamics.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ivaska
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism*; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins