Involved in cell adhesion. Contributes to integrin activation. When coexpressed with talin, potentiates activation of ITGA2B. Required for normal keratinocyte proliferation. Required for normal polarization of basal keratinocytes in skin, and for normal cell shape. Required for normal adhesion of keratinocytes to fibronectin and laminin, and for normal keratinocyte migration to wound sites. May mediate TGF-beta 1 signaling in tumor progression. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:14634021, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17012746, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19804783}. This is the function of FERMT1 (FERM domain containing kindlin 1, ENSG00000101311).