Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
Published on: September 29, 2016
Morgana and melusin: two fairies chaperoning signal transduction
Roberta Ferretti1, Mauro Sbroggiò, Augusta Di Savino
1Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia e Biochimica, Università di Torino, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Torino, Italy.
Abstract:
Chaperones and scaffold proteins are key elements involved in controlling the assembly of molecular complexes required for coordinated signal transduction. Here we describe morgana and melusin, two phylogenetically conserved chaperones that cooperate with Hsp90 and regulate signal transduction in important physiopathological processes. While morgana is ubiquitously expressed, melusin expression is restricted to striated muscles. Despite high sequence homology, the two chaperones have distinct functions. Morgana controls genomic stability by regulating the centrosome cycle via ROCKII kinase. Melusin, however, organizes ERK signal transduction in cardiomyocytes and regulates cardiac compensatory hypertrophy in response to different stress stimuli.
Related Concept Videos
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
Signal Transduction: Overview
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Types of Signaling Molecules
Types of Signaling Molecules
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
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...
Microtubules in Signaling

