Learning about signaling cascades

One topic which is frequently considered very complex is the way proteins work in chain reactions. To better understand how the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) works in achondroplasia, it is good to have an idea about those often mentioned "signaling cascades or pathways". We have already reviewed this in several other articles of the blog. The following is a representation of the main signaling cascades of FGFR3 in the chondrocyte:

Examining this above picture gives us just a slight idea of how things work in the molecular level. Learning about how these signaling pathways work help scientists to find ways to combat diseases and genetic conditions where these chemical reactions are playing relevant roles, such as what happens in achondroplasia. In fact, all the strategies aiming to potentially beat the mutated FGFR3 in achondroplasia are driven to one of the many steps of this receptor cascade.

I wanted to add more illustrative information about signaling cascades available in the web to the blog and found a very interesting website maintained by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where there are several learning resources, including the following 14 minute animation, a comprehensive journey describing how a signaling cascade works. I hope you enjoy watching it.

DNA Learning Center by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory