Focal adhesion kinase(FAK),a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase,is siting at the cross road of numerous intra-cellular signal transduction.The activated FAK has been implicated in a diverse array of cellular behavious.Recent research on FAK and fibrosis show that FAK plays an important role in fibrosis disease,so the targeting of FAK may be a novel therapeutic strategy.

AIM: To investigate the effect of FAK - related non - kinase ( FRNK) on the expression of membrane - type matrix metalloproteinase -1 ( MT1 - MMP) in hepatic stellate cells ( HSC). METHODS:FRNK were trans-fected into HSCs by cationic liposome method. The protein levels of FRNK in HSC were assayed by Western blotting. The levels of MT1 - MMP were determined by RT - PCR for mRNA and by Western blotting for protein, respectively. RESULTS: The up -regulated expression of FRNK protein was observed and it was at 48 h after transfection that the FRNK protein content was the highest ( P < 0.05 ). The expressions of MT1 - MMP mRNA and protein were also up - regulated by the transfection of FRNK, and it was at 48 h after transfection that the MT1 - MMP protein content was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The mRNA and protein of FRNK were over - expressed in HSC transfected with the gene of FRNK. The inhibitory effect of FRNK on the collagen synthesis in HSC may be through the up - regulation of MT1 - MMP.