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BIO 317 > 9 - Signaling Pathways Directing Cell-Polarization I > Flashcards

9 - Signaling Pathways Directing Cell-Polarization I Flashcards

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1
Q

What is cell signaling necessary for?

A

Communications of the cell within itself or among cells in different tissues

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2
Q

What must cells take in information about?

A

Their environment, and their internal state

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3
Q

What decisions do cells have to make?

A
  1. What genes should be turned on/off?

2. What proteins should be activated/deactivated?

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4
Q

What are some responses cells could have through cell signaling?

A

Grow, divide, develop (migrate, change shape, etc.), survive, or die

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5
Q

What is cell signaling?

A

A language that cells use to communicate with one another and within themselves

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6
Q

True or false: the response of a cell is very specific

A

True: the nature of the signal and the integration of different signals makes the response highly specific

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7
Q

True or false: a signaling unit refers to a collection of proteins in a network

A

False: there are many different scales of signaling units (cell, protein, amino acid, etc.)

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8
Q

What is meant by the “universal nature” of signaling determinants?

A

While the context of the class will focus on neuronal development, these signaling determinants are found across different cells and different organisms as well

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9
Q

What is a state machine?

A

A machine that can acquire different states

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10
Q

What are some biological examples of state machines?

A

The whole cell, signaling determinants, etc.

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11
Q

What is a mechanical example of a state machine?

A

An automatic door

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12
Q

How does a state machine work?

A

An input changes the state of the machine, which leads to a different, specific function

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13
Q

When does a state machine change its state?

A

When it responds to a stimuli

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14
Q

True or false: a state machine can only be in two states

A

False: it can be in many different states depending on the state machine

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15
Q

Why can the cell be considered a state machine?

A

They take in inputs, change their state, and perform a specific function based on that state

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16
Q

What are some example states a cell could have?

A

Proliferating (growing), quiescent (surviving), and apoptotic (dying)

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17
Q

What are the different states controlled by?

A

Environmental inputs

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18
Q

True or false: a state machine can only have one input

A

False: it can integrate a combination of inputs

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19
Q

What is an example of states a protein can be in?

A

Phosphorylated or non-phosphorylated, ligand bound or non-ligand bound

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20
Q

What determines whether a kinase is active or inactive?

A

Its phosphorylation state

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21
Q

What determines whether a receptor is active or inactive?

A

Whether it is bound to a ligand

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22
Q

What is meant by a “hierarchal organization” of signaling devices?

A

Many components are signaling devices (organism -> cell -> kinase)

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23
Q

True or false: an amino acid in a protein can be a signaling device

A

True: there can be many scales of signaling devices

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24
Q

What is meant by an “upstream downstream hierarchy”?

A

Can have signaling events in order from beginning (upstream) to end (downstream)

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25
Q

What is usually the most upstream event in a signaling cascade?

A

Ligand binding to a receptor

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26
Q

What is meant by a signaling network?

A

Multiple proteins and pathways interact to yield a large signaling network

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27
Q

Which response would be hardest for a cell to achieve?

A

A prolonged response

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28
Q

Why would a prolonged response be hardest for a cell to achieve?

A

There are many feedback mechanisms that usually go to stop a signal

29
Q

Why are multiple transient signals easier for the cell to achieve?

A

The cell engages in multiple pathways in a highly regulated manner

30
Q

What is the most typical response of a cell?

A

An on/off response

31
Q

True or false: if a response is difficult to achieve, a cell will not do it

A

False: while difficult, the cell can accomplish this

32
Q

How does a cell measure its input?

A

Through its nature, strength, and changes over time

33
Q

How long does neuronal development take?

A

Days

34
Q

What is the significance of the time it takes for neurons to develop?

A

Takes a long time for cells to establish a sustained response

35
Q

What is interesting about multiple inputs?

A

How they are regulated and controlled

36
Q

True or false: cells are constantly bombarded with information

A

True: there is a lot of information the cell is receiving at a given time

37
Q

What is meant by the nature of an input?

A

Is the input a growth factor, hormone, etc.

38
Q

What is meant by the strength of an input?

A

The concentration gradient of the signaling molecule

39
Q

True or false: it is possible for a cell to see zero concentration of a signaling molecule

A

False: there is always some present, which can be detected by the cell

40
Q

What is meant by how an input changes over time?

A

Whether the input is constant, or the frequency of the input

41
Q

What is the specific function of a cell determined by?

A

The nature and strength of the input, and the signaling determinants that it has

42
Q

How can the signaling determinants of a cell determine the function?

A

These signaling determinants can drive a specific function based on the stimuli in that particular cell

43
Q

How do proteins react to stimuli?

A

Allosteric switches, modular allosteric switches, or subcellular localization

44
Q

What is an allosteric switch?

A

The protein receives an active state in response to a stimuli

45
Q

What are some examples of allosteric switches?

A

Phosphorylation, ligand binding, etc.

46
Q

What is a modular allosteric switch?

A

Domains of a protein can auto-inhibit the catalytic domain of the same protein

47
Q

What are some examples of modular allosteric switches?

A

SH2 domains binding to catalytic subunits

48
Q

What is an example of a protein-complex allosteric switch?

A

PKA

49
Q

What is meant by subcellular localization?

A

Can change protein activity by changing its location in the cell

50
Q

What is an example of subcellular localization?

A

A protein involved in gene expression is active when moved into the nucleus

51
Q

True or false: cells respond to uniform concentrations of signals

A

False: they respond to gradients of signals

52
Q

What is meant by conserved signaling mechanisms?

A

Cell signaling mechanisms can be seen in many different areas

53
Q

What is an example of a conserved signaling mechanism?

A

Cell polarization

54
Q

True or false: the world around us is symmetrical

A

False: it is asymmetrical and polar

55
Q

True or false: a cell is a uniform unit

A

False: it is unique compartmentalized

56
Q

What is the significance of a cell being uniquely compartmentalized?

A

The cell’s unique compartments can perform unique functions

57
Q

What is cell polarization?

A

The ability to create/maintain morphologically/biochemically distinct domains (with unique sets of proteins) for distinct biological functions

58
Q

What is the importance of asymmetric organization of the cell?

A

Be able to perform complex activites

59
Q

What are examples of complex activities that require an asymmetric cell?

A

Cell-cell interactions, direction transport/secretion, cellular immunity, and development/morphogenesis

60
Q

True or false: only the cytoplasm of the cell is compartmentalized

A

False: the plasma membrane can also be organized asymmetrically

61
Q

How is a polarized phenotype achieved?

A

Through a complex interplay between gene expression, signal transduction, organelle biogenesis, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and membrane protein/lipid trafficking

62
Q

How is polarity achieved on a molecular level?

A

Use stimuli to put certain molecules in specific places (pizza in the corner of a room)

63
Q

What is the molecular distribution in a symmetric system?

A

Random distribution

64
Q

How do molecules move from a symmetric to an asymmetric distribution?

A

By receiving particular inputs in a specific location (pizza in the corner of a room)

65
Q

What is the basis of using specific stimuli to break symmetry?

A

Preferences for different stimuli

66
Q

What is functional polarization?

A

Molecules grouped together can perform different functions based on different stimuli

67
Q

What studies can be done in humans?

A

Diagnostics (imaging, limited histological/biochemical analysis)

68
Q

What studies cannot be done in humans?

A

Studies that involve manipulation genetically, biochemically, or pharmacologically

69
Q

What needs to be done to study cell polarization if humans cannot be used?

A

Need to use models

BIO 317 (27 decks)

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