Akt1 signaling regulates integrin activation, matrix recognition, and fibronectin assembly.

ABSTRACT: Akt, a serine-threonine kinase, regulates multiple cellular processes in vascular cells. We have previously documented that Akt activates integrins and Akt1 deficiency results in matrix abnormalities in skin and blood vessels in vivo. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that Akt1 is necessary for integrin activation and matrix assembly by fibroblasts. In this study, using various cell systems, we show that Akt1 is essential for the inside-out activation of integrins in endothelial cells and fibroblasts, which in turn, mediates matrix assembly. Fibronectin is a major extracellular matrix component of the skin and the vascular basement membrane, which possesses binding sites for many integrins and extracellular matrix proteins. Akt1(-/-) fibroblasts and NIH fibroblasts expressing do

SUBMITTER: Somanath PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2731941 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature