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Fig. 2 | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

Fig. 2

From: Fibronectin as a multiregulatory molecule crucial in tumor matrisome: from structural and functional features to clinical practice in oncology

Fig. 2

FN1 fibrillogenesis process. a FN1 dimers have a compact conformation mediated by disulfide bonds at the C terminus of each subunit. b The FN1 binding to integrins induces conformational changes unfolding the protein, bring closer FN1 molecules at the cell surface and determines integrin clustering and activation with the recruitment of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Src kinase, paxillin, and talin to generate focal complexes that activate polymerization of actin filaments. c The actin cytoskeletal network associates with the cytoplasmic domains of integrins forming a connection that is crucial for initial FN1 matrix generation. The RhoA GTPase-mediated cytoskeleton contractility and actin–myosin interactions induce cell traction, generating FN1 conformational alterations, thus opening cryptic FN1–FN1 binding sites, a requisite for FN1 fibrillogenesis. Created with BioRender.com

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