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Signalling shortcuts: cell-surface receptors in the nucleus?
1Department of Pathology, 713 Scaife, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. wellsa@msx.upmc.edu
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|September 5, 2002
Summary
Cell-surface growth factor receptors and ligands may enter the nucleoplasm, suggesting a novel signaling pathway. This discovery could reveal new mechanisms of cellular communication and signal transduction.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular signaling
- Cancer research
Background:
- Cell-surface growth-factor receptors (GFRs) and their ligands are crucial for intercellular communication.
- Traditionally, GFR signaling is understood to occur at the cell membrane.
- Emerging evidence suggests GFRs and ligands may have intracellular roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of cell-surface growth-factor receptors and ligands within the nucleoplasm.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of nucleoplasmic translocation for these molecules.
- To identify a potential new mode of signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Advanced microscopy techniques to visualize receptor and ligand localization.
- Biochemical assays to confirm protein interactions and modifications.
- Genetic manipulation to study the functional consequences of nucleoplasmic localization.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data indicate that certain GFRs and their ligands can accumulate in the nucleoplasm under physiological conditions.
- Evidence suggests specific pathways facilitate their entry into the nucleus.
- Initial findings point to potential roles in nuclear processes.
Conclusions:
- Cell-surface growth-factor receptors and ligands may translocate to the nucleoplasm, challenging current signaling paradigms.
- This nucleoplasmic localization could represent a novel mechanism for signal transduction.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the implications for cellular function and disease.
Related Concept Videos
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.
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
01:23Overview of Cell Signaling
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
01:23Overview of Cell Signaling
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
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...