Alternative signaling pathways: when, where and why?
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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
Published on: September 29, 2016
1Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto 112 College, Canada. ygong@bioknowledge.org
Abstract:
Alternative cell signal transduction pathways have been demonstrated in some experimental systems. The importance of their existence has not been completely appreciated. In this review we present the cases of alternative pathways resulted from a survey of the available experimental data. The alternative pathways could show different relationships, i.e., synergistic, redundant, additive, opposite and competitive effects. They could have distinct time courses and cell, organ, sex or species specification. Further, they could happen during physiological or pathological situations, and display differentiated sensitivity. These case studies together imply that alternative signal pathways could be involved in the regulation of cell functions at the pathway level. In-depth understanding of the importance of the alternative pathways will rely on building and exploration of mathematical models.
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