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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
Published on: July 17, 2019
Cellular functions of FAK kinases: insight into molecular mechanisms and novel functions
1Department of Biochemistry, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and Center for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. mschaller@hsc.wvu.edu
Abstract:
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) are related tyrosine kinases that have important cellular functions, primarily through regulation of the cytoskeleton. Recent studies have identified multiple molecular mechanisms that regulate cytoskeletal responses, and have provided important and exciting insights into how FAK and Pyk2 control cellular processes such as cell migration. Equally exciting are reports of novel and originally unanticipated functions of these kinases, providing the groundwork for future avenues of investigation. This Commentary summarizes some of these recent discoveries that are relevant to the control of biological responses of the cell.
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