Integrins and Src: dynamic duo of adhesion signaling

Src family protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) play important roles downstream of integrin adhesion receptors, and they are necessary for the generation of 'outside-in signals' that regulate cytoskeletal organization, cell motility and gene expression in response to cell adhesion. One relatively under-explored facet of this relationship is the possible physical interaction of integrins with SFKs. Recently, it has been established that beta 3 integrins and c-Src can interact directly, and this pool of c-Src is activated by cell adhesion to initiate outside-in signaling in platelets, osteoclasts and cells of the vasculature. Here, the biochemical basis for and biological significance of this integrin-SFK interaction is summarized, and I propose a general mechanism for initiation of outside-in integrin signaling.