Focal Adhesion Kinase: Potential Cancer Inhibitors
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences
Mentor Information
Laurie Witucki
Department
Chemistry
Location
Kirkhof Center KC51
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Health
Abstract
Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein kinase that plays a critical role in cell signaling, and the regulation of many cellular processes. FAK is found up regulated in a variety of metastatic cancers, and a key component for cellular migration through the extracellular matrix. FAK acts to disassemble focal adhesions constructed by the cell, enabling the cell to lay down further scaffolding for cellular movement, growth and repair. Over expression of FAK is found to be an important biomarker in invasive metastatic cancers, making this protein a target of interest for development of novel treatments.
Focal Adhesion Kinase: Potential Cancer Inhibitors
Kirkhof Center KC51
Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein kinase that plays a critical role in cell signaling, and the regulation of many cellular processes. FAK is found up regulated in a variety of metastatic cancers, and a key component for cellular migration through the extracellular matrix. FAK acts to disassemble focal adhesions constructed by the cell, enabling the cell to lay down further scaffolding for cellular movement, growth and repair. Over expression of FAK is found to be an important biomarker in invasive metastatic cancers, making this protein a target of interest for development of novel treatments.