Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về sinh học được đăng trên tạp chí sinh học Journal of Biology đề tài: Molecular machines or pleiomorphic ensembles: signaling complexes revisited. | Journal of Biology Ockham s broom Opinion Molecular machines or pleiomorphic ensembles signaling complexes revisited Bruce J Mayer Michael L Blinov and Leslie M Loew Addresses Richard D Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling tRaymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Medicine tDepartment of Genetics and Developmental Biology Department of Cell Biology University of Connecticut Health Center 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington CT 06030-3301 USA. Correspondence Bruce J Mayer. Email bmayer@ Abstract Signaling complexes typically consist of highly dynamic molecular ensembles that are challenging to study and to describe accurately. Conventional mechanical descriptions misrepresent this reality and can be actively counterproductive by misdirecting us away from investigating critical issues. A cell must constantly monitor cues from its environment and adjust its activities accordingly. Faithful and reliable signal transduction is not only essential for normal life but its malfunctioning underlies many human health problems. Enormous strides have been made in the past several decades toward understanding how this process works at the molecular level. It is notable that when describing the fruits of that work those of us who work on cell signaling would be hard-pressed to avoid terms such as machinery and mechanism . The analogy between cell signaling and man-made machines is all-pervasive frequently adopting the imagery of elaborate clockwork mechanisms or electronic circuit boards. This perception is undoubtedly shaped by what we know the machines that we use in our everyday life and the ways that we describe such machines in diagrams or in words. But is this really an accurate or useful description of the actual processes used by cells We will argue that signaling complexes typically consist of pleiomorphic and highly dynamic molecular ensembles that are challenging to study and to describe accurately. Conventional mechanical .
