Figure 3.

Integrins are the site of focal adhesions. Integrin ligation promotes receptor clustering and the formation of focal adhesions. Talin forms the initial contacts between integrin β-tails and the actin cytoskeleton. Vinculin crosslinks with Talin and actin to strengthen focal adhesions promoting focal adhesion growth. α-actinin can interact with integrin β-tails, vinculin, talin and actin to further reinforce crosslinking of the cytoskeleton. ILK associates with actin through its binding partner parvin creating a core scaffold for focal adhesion formation. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is involved in focal adhesion stabilization and turnover likely through post-translational modification of focal adhesion components.