Emerging Role of ILK and ELMO2 in the Integration of Adhesion and Migration Pathways

The document from 2012 examines the roles of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and engulfment and cell motility 2 (ELMO2) in cell migration and adhesion, with a focus on their functions in wound healing and hair follicle development. It was found that ILK/ELMO2 complexes are recruited to the plasma membrane by active RhoG, leading to Rac1 activation and lamellipodia formation, which is crucial for cell migration at the leading edge. This process is specifically stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF). While ILK is not necessary for the migration of postnatal hair follicle stem cells, it is essential during embryonic development of hair follicles. In wound healing, ILK-deficient hair follicle stem cells struggle to migrate over the denuded area, resulting in impaired wound repair. The study underscores the significance of the EGFR/RhoG/ELMO2/ILK module in keratinocyte migration during re-epithelialization and suggests that targeting this pathway could enhance wound healing. Additionally, the document notes ILK's role as a scaffold for various cell functions due to its interactions with many proteins, especially in regulating Rho GTPases through its association with ELMO2.