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Integrin-Linked Kinase

Meaning

Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) is a multifunctional intracellular serine/threonine protein kinase that serves as a critical signaling node, linking the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cell’s internal cytoskeleton. This enzyme is a central effector of cell-matrix interactions, regulating numerous fundamental cellular processes, including growth, proliferation, survival, differentiation, and migration. In the context of hormonal health, ILK signaling is relevant to tissue remodeling and is often implicated in the pathological progression of endocrine-related malignancies and cardiomyopathies.