Introduction
The interaction between a specific type of extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factor (GF) receptor binding is known to be important for cell proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation. For example, mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMECs) require adhesion to a basement membrane (BM) matrix for both three-dimensional morphology and milk protein expression. However, the various mechanisms by which these signals are integrated have still to be elucidated. Knowledge of these mechanisms are of particular importance in neoplasia, where the extracellular environment, and thus the function of a particular GF may be altered.