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