Cell signalling: importance, complexity and the future

This chapter recalls the mechanisms used by cells to control their activities. It introduces many recurring themes in cell signalling, showing that there is a steady state condition of signalling components. The chapter argues that the most important aspects of cell signalling are that there needs to be a change and that this change needs to be recognized to elicit a response. The chapter also looks at the uniqueness of the signals used and the specific perception of the signals. The chapter considers moonlighting proteins, drug discovery, and cell signalling manipulation. Finally, it examines the future of cell signalling research.