Why Do So Many Stimuli Induce Tyrosine Phosphorylation of FAK?

Engagement of integrins and other adhesion receptors can induce tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase present in focal adhesions. Furthermore, in addition to adhesion receptors, a surprising variety of stimuli, acting either on specific surface receptors or on intracellular molecules, such as PKC or Rho, can induce also tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK. I suggest that a potential mechanism by which such distinct factors may modulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK is the promotion of integrin or other adhesion receptor clustering at focal adhesions.