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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Published on: June 15, 2017

Evolving a robust signal transduction pathway from weak cross-talk.

Albert Siryaporn¹, Barrett S Perchuk, Michael T Laub

¹Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6018, USA.

Molecular Systems Biology

|December 24, 2010

Summary

Researchers engineered a two-component signal transduction system by combining mutations in a sensor kinase (SK). This created a novel pathway responsive to signals, demonstrating a potential evolutionary route for complex biological circuits.

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Applying an Inducible Expression System to Study Interference of Bacterial Virulence Factors with Intracellular Signaling

Applying an Inducible Expression System to Study Interference of Bacterial Virulence Factors with Intracellular Signaling

Published on: June 25, 2015

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) are crucial for bacterial communication.
Sensor kinases (SKs) typically interact with specific response regulators (RRs), but cross-talk can occur.
The bifunctional SK CpxA possesses both kinase and phosphatase activities for its cognate RR.

Purpose of the Study:

To engineer a novel TCS by modifying a bifunctional sensor kinase.
To investigate the emergence of new signaling properties through targeted mutations.
To understand the evolutionary mechanisms of complex signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

Site-directed mutagenesis of the CpxA sensor kinase.
In vitro and in vivo assays to assess phosphorylation and cross-talk.
Modeling of two-component signaling pathways.

Main Results:

Combining specific CpxA mutations induced phosphatase activity towards a non-partner RR (OmpR).
The engineered system exhibited responsiveness to external input signals.
A simple model explained the complex behavior through a single parameter change.

Conclusions:

Mutations in bifunctional SKs can lead to novel signaling pathways with emergent properties.
Intragenic interactions can drive the evolution of complex and competing reactions in TCS.
This study provides insights into the evolutionary plasticity of bacterial signaling.