Focal adhesion kinase (Fak) is a non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinase that stimulates cell
spreading and motility by promoting the formation of contact sites between the cell and the
extracellular matrix (focal adhesions). It suppresses apoptosis by transducing survival
signals that emanate from focal adhesions via the clustering of transmembrane integrins by
components of the extracellular matrix. We demonstrate that Fak is cleaved by caspases at
two distinct sites during apoptosis. The sites were mapped to DQTD 772, which was …