The effect of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III on glioma cell migration by stimulating ERK phosphorylation through the focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway

► The high levels of EGFR pY1068 and FAK pY397 were detected in U87ΔEGFR cells. ► The knockdown of FAK via RNAi reduced EGFR pY1068 and inhibited U87ΔEGFR cell migration. ► EGFRvIII formed a complex with FAK. ► Reduced FAK expression via RNAi caused dramatic inhibition of pERK1/2. ► ERK was involved in FAK-regulated U87ΔEGFR cell migration.