Fibronectin fibrillogenesis: A paradigm for extracellular matrix assembly

Fibronectin matrix assembly is a regulated stepwise process. In the past year, analyses of fibronectin domains, integrin and cytoskeletal contributions, and fibril architecture have provided new insights into assembly mechanisms and matrix control of cell functions. Like fibronectin, laminin polymerization is cell-mediated. Thus a common pathway for extracellular matrix assembly is emerging.