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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
10:31
Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation
Published on: June 23, 2013
Charting protein complexes, signaling pathways, and networks in the immune system
Angela Bauch1, Giulio Superti-Furga
1CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria. abauch@cemm.oeaw.ac.at
Immunological Reviews
|April 21, 2006
Summary
High-throughput proteomics systematically maps protein interactions to create signaling networks. These networks aid in identifying drug targets for therapeutic and diagnostic strategies, particularly in immune system pathways.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Systems Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are crucial for cellular signaling.
- Understanding signaling networks is key for developing new therapies and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically characterize protein complexes and compute molecular networks using advanced proteomic technologies.
- To establish a platform for integrating diverse biological datasets and identifying pharmacological targets.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput proteomic techniques, including biochemical purification and mass spectrometry.
- Systematic characterization of protein complexes.
- Computation of molecular networks.
Main Results:
- Generation of functionally annotated protein-protein interaction networks.
- Identification of candidate targets for pharmacological intervention through network analysis.
- Demonstration of applicability to pathways like tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB).
Conclusions:
- Systematic PPI analysis provides a robust framework for understanding cellular signaling.
- These networks are valuable for integrating multi-omics data and advancing drug discovery.
- The approach is broadly applicable to mammalian signaling pathways in the immune system.
Related Concept Videos
02:26Protein Networks
An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
01:30Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
02:04Protein-protein Interfaces
Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a polypeptide...