Overview:

Integrins are a large-family of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion molecules that regulate development and tissue homeostasis by controlling cell migration, survival, proliferation and differentiation. As integrins lack intrinsic enzymatic activity, their signaling crucially depends on recruiting adaptor and signaling proteins. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has been identified as a multifunctional player in cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion, and anchorage-dependent cell growth (1,2). ILK has combined functions as a signal transducer, scaffold protein, and facilitating further protein recruitment within the ILK-PINCH-PARVIN complex (3). ILK is a potential therapeutic target for not only human malignancies, but also diseases such as kidney fibrosis, inflammatory renal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular diseases (3).

Genbank Number:

NM_004517.4

References:

1. Hannigan, Gregory E., et al. "Regulation of cell adhesion and anchorage-dependent growth by a new β1-integrin-linked protein kinase." Nature 379.6560 (1996): 91-96.
2. Widmaier, M., Rognoni, E., Radovanac, K., Azimifar, S. B., & Fässler, R. (2012). Integrin-linked kinase at a glance. Journal of cell science, 125(8), 1839-1843.
3. Górska A, Mazur AJ. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK): the known vs. the unknown and perspectives. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022 Jan 28;79(2):100. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-04104-1. PMID: 35089438; PMCID: PMC8799556.