The binding activity of a molecule that brings together two or more molecules in a signaling pathway, permitting those molecules to function in a coordinated way. Adaptor molecules themselves do not have catalytic activity. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19104498 GOC:bf ]
Synonyms: signalling adaptor activity signaling protein recruiting activity
Term information
A signaling adaptor can bring together both protein and non-protein molecules within a signaling pathway. Scaffold proteins act in at least four ways: tethering signaling components, localizing these components to specific areas of the cell, regulating signal transduction by coordinating positive and negative feedback signals, and insulating correct signaling proteins from competing proteins (PMID:19104498).