The role of focal adhesion kinase in the emigration of cells from confluent cultures

We studied the effect of the modification of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on the growth, migration and adhesion of C3H 10T1/2 cells. Cells transfected with plasmid coding for antisense FAK displayed a low level of FAK protein. Interestingly, the transfected cells achieved a higher saturation density at confluence, and displayed reduced adhesion and enhanced emigration from a confluent layer of cells when stimulated with fibronectin. In conclusion, it can be postulated that FAK plays an important role in the mechanism of contact inhibition.