Scaffold-mediated nucleation of protein signaling complexes: Elementary principles

► We consider minimalist models for scaffold interaction with ligands. ► We obtain analytical expressions that characterize scaffold-mediated nucleation. ► Nucleation depends on ligand concentrations, binding constants, cooperativity, and scaffold valence. ► A scaffold can reprogram the catalytic efficiency of an enzyme. ► A scaffold can change the sensitivity of rate of reaction to substrate concentration.