FIGURE 1: The overall structure of human integrin α and β and some of their downstream effectors. Binding of integrins (in red) to the ECM, e.g. to RGD motifs in ECM proteins, promotes integrin clustering and association with the actin cytoskeleton. Interactions with the down-stream effectors are mediated via integrin β. Intracellular effectors that are part of the focal adhesion complexes (FACs) include talin (Tal; an adapter protein), focal adhesion kinase (FAK; a non-receptor tyrosine kinase), paxilin (Pax; an adapter protein), Src-family kinase (Src; a tyrosine kinase), integrin-linked kinase (ILK), and vinculin (Vin).