Complexity in biological signaling systems

Science. 1999 Apr 2;284(5411):92-6. doi: 10.1126/science.284.5411.92.

Abstract

Biological signaling pathways interact with one another to form complex networks. Complexity arises from the large number of components, many with isoforms that have partially overlapping functions; from the connections among components; and from the spatial relationship between components. The origins of the complex behavior of signaling networks and analytical approaches to deal with the emergent complexity are discussed here.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • Databases, Factual
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Genes
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • GTP-Binding Proteins