The Clinical and Translational Implications of Evolutionarily Preserved Intracellular Signalling Pathways

Abstract

Despite the range of cell types found in the animal kingdom, only a limited number of signalling pathways are required to generate them. Furthermore the basic components and design of these signalling pathways remain largely homologous across the animal kingdom despite species being separated evolutionarily from one another for millions of years. This article explores the fundamental signalling pathways that have been evolutionarily conserved in the midst of millions of years of selection and environmental pressures. Knowledge of the development of these pathways may aid us in understanding various human disease processes and help to develop possible therapeutic targets. The review explores the role of these intracellular pathways and what relevance they may have to the understanding of disease processes.