Focal adhesion

Immunofluorescence coloration of actin (green) and the focal adhesion protein vinculin (red) in a fibroblast. Focal adhesions are visible as red dots at the end of the green bundles.

In cell biology, focal adhesions (also cell–matrix adhesions or FAs) are large macromolecular assemblies through which mechanical force and regulatory signals are transmitted between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and an interacting cell. More precisely, focal adhesions are the sub-cellular structures that mediate the regulatory effects (i.e., signaling events) of a cell in response to ECM adhesion.[1]

Focal adhesions serve as the mechanical linkages to the ECM, and as a biochemical signaling hub to concentrate and direct numerous signaling proteins at sites of integrin binding and clustering.

  1. ^ Chen CS, Alonso JL, Ostuni E, Whitesides GM, Ingber DE (July 2003). "Cell shape provides global control of focal adhesion assembly". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 307 (2): 355–361. doi:10.1016/s0006-291x(03)01165-3. PMID 12859964.