The Tail of Integrins, Talin, and Kindlins

Abstract

Tales of Talin, Kindlin, and Integrin: The integrins are receptors on the surface of animal cells that mediate attachment to the extracellular matrix. Integrins also act as signaling molecules, activating signaling pathways when they bind to their ligands in the matrix. Furthermore, integrins can communicate signals from the inside to the outside of the cell when signals within the cell alter the affinity of integrins for their extracellular ligands. Moser et al. (p. 895 ) review recent advances in understanding the roles of the proteins talin and kindlin in such bidirectional signaling and how they influence the function of integrins in health and disease.