Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Signalling ballet in space and time
Publication Date
6-1-2010
Journal
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
Abstract
Although we have amassed extensive catalogues of signalling network components, our understanding of the spatiotemporal control of emergent network structures has lagged behind. Dynamic behaviour is starting to be explored throughout the genome, but analysis of spatial behaviours is still confined to individual proteins. The challenge is to reveal how cells integrate temporal and spatial information to determine specific biological functions. Key findings are the discovery of molecular signalling machines such as Ras nanoclusters, spatial activity gradients and flexible network circuitries that involve transcriptional feedback. They reveal design principles of spatiotemporal organization that are crucial for network function and cell fate decisions.
Keywords
Animals, Cell Communication, Cell Lineage, Humans, Signal Transduction, Time Factors, Transcription, Genetic