Supramolecular complex formation in cell signaling and disease: An update on a recurrent theme in cell life and death

Abstract

In summary, this limited discussion of recent developments concerning a few signaling pathways and associated cellular systems hopefully underscores the importance of multiprotein complex formation in cellular signaling, the major theme of an international symposium held September 2002 in Santiago, Chile. Perhaps the most fascinating emerging subject is the importance of membranes in many aspects of signaling. Some 25 years ago, the observation that DAG serves as a physiologically-relevant activator of PKC gave rise to the concept of lipid second messengers, thereby completely changing the way lipids were viewed (reviewed in Quest, et al., 1996). Now, with the description of membrane microdomains (rafts, caveolae), we are beginning to appreciate the complexity of lipid: organization within membranes and the role these highly-dynamic surfaces play as platforms for the assembly of many of the protein complexes employed in signaling. Indeed, such surface-bound complex assembly is not limi