Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer
10:34

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer

Published on: April 23, 2017

Signaling clusters in the cell membrane

Niña C Hartman1, Jay T Groves

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of California, 424 Stanley Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3220, USA.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|June 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Large molecular signaling clusters at the cell membrane regulate cell processes. These clusters recruit molecules, interact with the cytoskeleton, and exhibit emergent functions not predictable from single components.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Molecular signaling
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Large-scale molecular assemblies, known as signaling clusters, are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of cellular signaling pathways at the cell membrane.
  • These clusters play a fundamental role in various cellular processes, influencing signal transduction and cellular responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on signaling clusters across diverse cellular systems.
  • To identify and describe shared characteristics and common features of these molecular assemblies.
  • To use the T cell receptor cluster as a model to illustrate key properties of signaling clusters.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and recent advancements in relevant research.
  • Analysis of data from patterning and microscopy techniques.
  • Comparative analysis of signaling clusters from different cellular contexts.

Main Results:

  • Signaling clusters recruit a large number of molecules to the cell membrane.
  • These clusters exhibit significant interaction with the actin cytoskeleton.
  • A substantial portion of cellular signaling processes occurs within these clusters.
  • Functional outcomes of signaling clusters are often emergent and not predictable from individual molecular components.

Conclusions:

  • Signaling clusters are fundamental units of cell signaling, integrating molecular interactions and cytoskeletal dynamics.
  • Emergent properties of signaling clusters highlight the importance of studying molecular assemblies in their cellular context.
  • Advancements in imaging and patterning techniques are crucial for understanding the complex behavior of signaling clusters.

More Related Videos

A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins16:10

A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins

Published on: March 22, 2012

Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation10:31

Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation

Published on: June 23, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Types of Signaling Molecules01:32

Types of Signaling Molecules

In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
Types of Signaling Molecules01:32

Types of Signaling Molecules

In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
Assembly of Signaling Complexes01:30

Assembly 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,...
What is Cell Signaling?02:03

What 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.
What is Cell Signaling?02:03

What 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.
Overview of Cell Signaling01:23

Overview 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...