Journal article
Achieving high signal-to-noise in cell regulatory systems: Spatial organization of multiprotein transmembrane assemblies of FGFR and MET receptors
M Blaszczyk, NJ Harmer, DY Chirgadze, DB Ascher, TL Blundell
Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2015
Abstract
How is information communicated both within and between cells of living systems with high signal to noise? We discuss transmembrane signaling models involving two receptor tyrosine kinases: the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and the MET receptor. We suggest that simple dimerization models might occur opportunistically giving rise to noise but cooperative clustering of the receptor tyrosine kinases observed in these systems is likely to be important for signal transduction. We propose that this may be a more general prerequisite for high signal to noise in transmembrane receptor signaling.
Grants
Awarded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Funding Acknowledgements
D.B.A is the recipient of a C. J. Martin Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (APP1072476). TLB and MB receive funding from the Gates Foundation, and T.L.B. and D.Y.C. from The Wellcome Trust (093167) for facilities and support. D.Y.C. is also supported by the Crystallographic X-ray Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. We thank Ermanno Gherardi for many contributions to the experiments and to our thinking on the Met receptor structure and activation over the years.