Protein folding and the regulation of signaling pathways.
A growing number of intracellular signaling molecules are found associated with components of the cellular protein folding machinery. In this minireview we suggest that the same ancient cellular process that promotes the folding and assembly of nascent proteins plays a pivotal role in signal transduction by promoting the regulated folding or assembly and disassembly of mature signaling molecules between active and inactive states. Members of the protein folding machinery mediate the activity of various kinases, receptors, and transcription factors. These may be poised in late stages of folding or assembly until upstream signaling events trigger their biogenesis into activated molecules.
Rutherford
S L
SL
Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0649.
Zuker
C S
CS
D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000502:physiology*; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase; D017510:Protein Folding; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase