How Cells Use Protein Clustering to Signal
Author Information
Author(s): Nizar N. Batada, Larry A. Shepp, David O. Siegmund, Michael Levitt
Primary Institution: Stanford University
Hypothesis
Do dynamic localization mechanisms enhance signal transduction activation rates or minimize cross talk among pathways?
Conclusion
Cells likely co-localize signaling proteins to reduce cross talk rather than to enhance the speed of signal transduction.
Supporting Evidence
- The interaction rate of cell surface proteins is extremely high even with low receptor abundance.
- The mean interaction delay for proteins on the cell surface is shorter than in the cytoplasm.
- Co-localization of proteins is likely to minimize cross talk rather than enhance interaction rates.
Takeaway
Cells group their signaling proteins together to avoid confusion when sending messages, rather than to make the messages faster.
Methodology
A mathematical model based on Brownian motion was used to analyze the interaction rates of cell surface proteins.
Limitations
The model assumes constant endocytosis and isotropic diffusion, which may not apply to all cell types.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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