THE CONSTITUTIVE ACTIVATION OF MET, RON, SEA GENES INDUCES DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES

Receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins are activated by growth factors and extracellular matrix, respectively. Their activation leads to signal transduction cascades that control gene expression and cytoskeletal rearrangements. The “cross-talk” signaling between growth factor receptors and integrins controls many biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, survival and migration. Up to now new mechanisms regulating their interplay are emerging. Here we describe some recent findings on the cooperation between ECM and growth factors receptors in cell behavior.