Focal adhesion kinase in neuritogenesis

The transduction of extracellular signals through adhesion and guidance receptors into cytoskeleton reorganization underlies axon outgrowth and pathfinding decisions. The cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a central regulator of cell motility phenomena during morphogenesis, is highly expressed in the developing nervous system and selectively enriched in axonal growth cones. Novel studies implicate FAK in the control of neuronal migration and axon behavior during nervous system development. By scaffolding receptorproximal multiprotein complexes, FAK guarantees the integration of adhesive signals derived from the extracellular matrix with guidance cues and growth factors at the level of the developing axons. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.