Studies on interaction of tumor cells with ECM components showed increased extracellular protease activity mediated by the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here we studied the effect of human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells -fi bronectin (FN) interaction on MMPs and the underlying signaling pathways. Culturing of PC-3 cells on FN-coated surface upregulated MMP-9 and MMP-1. This response is abrogated by the blockade of α 5 integrin. siRNA and inhibitor studies indicate possible involvement of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI-3K), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κ B) in FN-induced upregulation of MMPs. FN treatment also enhanced phosphorylation of FAK, PI3K, protein kinase B (PKB or Akt), nuclear translocation of NF-κ B, surface expression of CD-44, and cell migration. Our fi ndings indicate that, binding of PC-3 cells to FN, possibly via α 5 β 1 integrin, induces signaling involving FAK, PI-3K, Akt, NF-κ B followed by upregulation of MMP-9 and MMP-1. CD-44 may have role in modulating MMP-9 activity.