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Sci. Signal., 11 October 2011
Vol. 4, Issue 194, p. ra67
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2002152]

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Editor's Summary

Modifying Signal Transduction Dynamics
Signal transduction cascades exhibit complex dynamics, and theoretical studies have suggested that, like electrical and mechanical systems, the behavior of signaling modules can be affected by the presence of downstream targets, which act as "loads" on the system. Jiang et al. combined mathematical theory with an in vitro–reconstituted signaling network to show that the presence or absence of downstream targets that functioned as loads altered the dynamics of the system. Their work provides strong experimental evidence, backed by theory, that the bandwidth for information processing and the response time of the system are both affected by the presence of loads. This load-induced modulation of signaling dynamics may allow tuning of the signaling cascade to reduce the effects of noise or minimize crosstalk among pathways that share components.

Citation: P. Jiang, A. C. Ventura, E. D. Sontag, S. D. Merajver, A. J. Ninfa, D. Del Vecchio, Load-Induced Modulation of Signal Transduction Networks. Sci. Signal. 4, ra67 (2011).

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Comment on "Load-Induced Modulation of Signal Transduction Networks": Reconciling Ultrasensitivity with Bifunctionality?.
R. Straube (2012)
Science Signaling 5, lc1
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Response to Comment on "'Load-Induced Modulation of Signal Transduction Networks': Reconciling Ultrasensitivity with Bifunctionality?".
P. Jiang, A. C. Ventura, E. D. Sontag, S. D. Merajver, A. J. Ninfa, and D. Del Vecchio (2012)
Science Signaling 5, lc2
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »

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