Question

What is the difference between convergent versus divergent signaling pathways ?

Answer 1

Convergent signals:

The signals from a variety of unrelated receptors converge to activate a common effector after binding to their individual ligands. Ex: Ras Raf

These signals are usually from receptors.

Ex: G-protein coupled receptors, Receptors of tyrosine kinase and Integrins.....etc

Divergent signals:

Signals from same ligand diverge to activate a variety of different effectors leading to diverse cellular responses.

These effects are usually ligand based. Ex : EGF Ligand, Insulin Ligand