Signaling to extracellular signal-regulated kinase from erbb1 kinase and protein kinase c: Feedback, heterogeneity, and gating

Background: The mechanisms underlying acute ERK signaling are poorly understood. Results: Feedback influences basal and acutely stimulated ERK responses but does not render signaling kinetics robust to ERK concentration. Conclusion: Acute ERK response kinetics depend on ERK concentration and activation mechanism as well as feedback. Significance: ERK responses to transient stimulation can be gated by ERK concentration, and short-term activation appears distributive rather than processive.