Molecular machines or pleiomorphic ensembles: signaling complexes revisited

doi:10.1186/jbiol185

Journal of Biology

Volume 8
Issue 9

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This article is part of a series on Ockham's broom.

Opinion

Molecular machines or pleiomorphic ensembles: signaling complexes revisited

Bruce J Mayer¹^,2^,3 , Michael L Blinov¹^,3 and Leslie M Loew¹^,4

¹Richard D Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3301, USA

²Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3301, USA

³Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3301, USA

⁴Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3301, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Biology 2009, 8:81doi:10.1186/jbiol185


Published:	16 October 2009

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.