Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
12:24
Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
Published on: September 29, 2016
Signalling change: signal transduction through the decades
Nancy E Hynes1, Philip W Ingham, Wendell A Lim
1Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. nancy.hynes@fmi.ch
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|May 3, 2013
Summary
Cell signalling research has evolved significantly over three decades. Key discoveries in growth factors, phosphorylation, and protein interactions have reshaped our understanding of cellular communication.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Recent anniversaries highlight key milestones in signal transduction research.
- Discoveries include growth factors, morphogens, phosphorylation, and protein interaction domains.
Observation:
- Six researchers reflect on the historical context of these discoveries.
- The evolution of cell signalling concepts over 30 years is examined.
Findings:
- The identification of classic growth factors and morphogens was pivotal.
- Understanding protein modification via phosphorylation advanced the field.
- Characterization of protein interaction domains revealed complex signalling networks.
Implications:
- This historical perspective provides context for current signal transduction research.
- Understanding the evolution of cell signalling enhances our knowledge of cellular communication.
- The insights offer a foundation for future research in molecular and cell biology.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Signal Transduction: Overview
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
01:23Overview 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...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
01:23Overview 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...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
01:22Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze the...
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...