c-met signalling - Spatio-temporal decisions

The spatial control of signalling events is critical in determining the outcome of a cellular response. Recent studies on the signal output from the growth factor/ receptor HGF/ c-Met, demonstrates that the PKC-regulated location of downstream transducers, specifically the MAPkinase ERK1/2, has a profound positive influence on cell migration, despite apparently reducing the steady state level of ERK1/2 activation. The mechanisms involved and the implications for signalling studies are discussed.