Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
10:13
A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells
Published on: July 3, 2013
Signal transduction for clinicians: why should we care?
1Pediatric Center for Neuroscience and Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Pediatric Neurology
|December 18, 2001
Summary
Neurons utilize signal transduction to interpret diverse stimuli, adapting responses based on cellular context. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to neurologic diseases, but offers therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neurons process numerous external and internal signals for appropriate responses.
- Cellular responses are context-dependent, influenced by internal and external conditions.
- Signal transduction provides cellular flexibility and a 'knowledge base' for function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the critical role of signal transduction in neuronal function.
- To highlight the link between signal transduction aberrations and nervous system disorders.
- To underscore the therapeutic potential of modulating signal transduction pathways.
Main Methods:
- Review of signal transduction mechanisms in neurons.
- Analysis of the impact of signal transduction on cellular activity.
- Exploration of the genetic and acquired basis of related neurologic diseases.
Main Results:
- Signal transduction enables neurons to differentiate and respond to complex stimuli.
- Aberrant signal transduction is implicated in various neurological conditions.
- Pharmacological targeting of these pathways shows promise for treatment.
Conclusions:
- Signal transduction is fundamental to neuronal adaptability and information processing.
- Disruptions in signal transduction are a key factor in neurologic disease pathogenesis.
- Targeted modulation of signal transduction pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
01:21Cell-surface Signaling
Hormones—or any molecule that binds to a receptor, known as a ligand—that are lipid-insoluble (water-soluble) are not able to diffuse across the cell membrane. In order to be able to affect a cell without entering it, these hormones bind to receptors on the cell membrane. When a first messenger, a hormone, binds to a receptor, a signal cascade is set off, causing second messengers, proteins inside the cell, to become activated, resulting in downstream effects.
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
01:15Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
Many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic; they do not cross the cell membrane but bind to cell-surface receptors. Thus, their message must be relayed by second messengers present in the cell cytoplasm. There are several second messenger pathways, each with its own way of relaying information. For example, the G protein-coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol pathway is active when the receptor induces...
01:22Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze the...
01:26Signal Transduction: Overview
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Typically, signal transduction involves three...