anoikis
anoikis
A type of programmed cell death (apoptosis) that is induced by a loss of correct cell/extracellular matrix attachment. Cells require intact integrin family receptors to suppress anoikis, and the process requires mitochondrial membrane permeabilisation; certain cells (e.g., epithelial and endothelial cells) are more resistant to anoikis.Anoikis resistance can be induced through activation of extracellular signalling-receptor kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling cascade by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Metastatic cells are resistant to anoikis and often have increased levels of the death receptor-inhibiting protein FLIP.