Table 1

Properties of single- and multi-step signaling pathways

Single-step

Multi-step


Noise filtering

No

Yes

Output characteristic

Graded

Switch-like

Potential amplification

Low

High

Transmission speed

Optimized for high input strengths

Optimized for low input strengths


Chen and Thorner Genome Biology 2005 6:235   doi:10.1186/gb-2005-6-10-235