Signalling complexes and clusters: functional advantages and methodological hurdles.
Signalling molecules integrate, codify and transport information in cells. Organisation of these molecules in complexes and clusters improves the efficiency, fidelity and robustness of cellular signalling. Here, we summarise current views on how signalling molecules assemble into macromolecular complexes and clusters and how they use their physical properties to transduce environmental information into a variety of cellular processes. In addition, we discuss recent innovations in live-cell imaging at the sub-micrometer scale and the challenges of object (particle) tracking, both of which help us to observe signalling complexes and clusters and to examine their dynamic character.
Cebecauer
Marek
M
Section of Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK. m.cebecauer@imperial.ac.uk
Spitaler
Martin
M
Sergé
Arnauld
A
Magee
Anthony I
AI
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods; D015398:Signal Transduction
D046911:Macromolecular Substances