Vinexin is an adaptor-type focal adhesion protein that interacts with vinculin. Here, we report the tyrosine phosphorylation of vinexin alpha in v-Sr-c- transformed NIH3T3 cells. Point Mutational analysis of vinexin alpha clarified that three tyrosine residues in vinexin alpha were phosphorylated. A non-phosphorylatable Mutant Of vinexin alpha of had higher binding affinity for vinculin than its wiid-type counter part. In conclusion, vinexin alpha is tyrosine phosphorylated in v-Si-c-transformed cells, and this tyrosine phosphorylation of vinexin alpha attenuates the association of vinexin alpha with vinculin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.