Talins and Cancer

Abstract

Talin is a large cytoskeletal adaptor protein that is an important component of focal adhesion complexes of adherent cells. It was originally identifi ed as a component of focal adhesions and ruffl ing membranes of fi broblasts. It was the fi rst cytoplasmic protein partner of integrins to be identifi ed. Many studies proved that talin connects the intracellular actin cytoskeleton with the extracellular environment through interactions with integral membrane proteins in the dynamic focal adhesions. The modular structure of talin is responsible for its ability to serve as a linker protein. It was thought that animal cells contained only one talin. However, studies have been identifi ed a second talin (Talin-2) in vertebrates. Talin-1 levels are very low in brain and striated muscle, but high in kidney, liver, spleen, stomach, lung, and rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Talin-2 levels are high in brain and striated muscle. The variable expression of Talin-2 in these differentiated cells refl ects that these proteins have different roles, which would be refl ected in different properties of each protein. Moreover, Talins may be a good target for treatment of certain types of cancers. Talins levels are altered in various types of cancer indicating its possible use as cancer biomarker.