A role for FAK in the Concanavalin A-dependent secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9.

To study the signaling pathway critical for the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we examined the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated cells. We established a cell line in which FAK gene was conditionally inducible by use of FAK-null fibroblasts and the tetracycline repression system. In this cell line, FAK expression was undetectable in the presence of tetracycline but induced within 1 day by the removal of the drug. We found that FAK expression augmented the Con A-dependent secretion of MMP-9 and MMP-2. In contrast, proteolytic activation of MMP-2 by Con A-treatment did not require FAK expression. In addition, activation of MMP-secretion and tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK by Con A, but not the proteolytic activation of MMP-2, required attachment of the cells to the extracellular matrix. Taken together, our results suggest that the FAK signaling pathway play a pivotal role in the secretion of MMPs.