Molecular Pathways

There are several ways molecules can interact to produce functional effects in the cell. If the goal is to characterize the interaction between molecules in a signaling pathway the following effects should be considered:

Abbreviations

• MA: generic molecule 'A'
• MB: generic molecule 'B'

Direct Interaction

MA directly interacts with MB changing its status, referring to an increase or decrease of MB's downstream effects.

Phosphorylation

• MA phosphorylates MB which increases MB activity

Physical Sequestration

• MA forms inhibitory weak bond with MB

Degradation

• MA tags MB for protein degradation

Gene Factors

MA can change the status of MB through transcription and other pre-translational mechanisms

Transcription Factor

• MA increases the transcription of MB genes