Basic Science Flashcards
Pancreatic islets are the endocrine portion of the pancreas and contain 4 types of cell which are?
Beta cells
Alpha cells
Delta cells
PP cells
Describe the role of delta and PP cells?
They help with modulation and secretion. Delta cells secrete somatostatin and PP cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide
Describe synthesis and structure of insulin?
Insulin is synthesised in the rER of Beta cells as a large single chain preproinsulin that is then cleaved to form insulin
Insulin contains two polypeptide chains linked by disulphide bonds
Connecting (C) peptide a by product of cleavage has no known physiologic function
Describe connecting peptide C?
Byproduct of cleavage of preproinsulin and has no physiologic function
Where is insulin synthesised?
rough endoplasmic reticulum of beta cells
Glucose enters Beta cells through the __1___ glucose transporter and is phosphorylated by ____2_____
1) GLUT 2
2) glucokinase
Define and describe KM of an enzyme
the concentration of substrate which permits the enzyme to achieve half Vmax. An enzyme with a high Km has a low affinity for its substrate, and requires a greater concentration of substrate to achieve Vmax.
Glucokinase’s KM for glucose lies in the ________ range of concentrations so a change of glucose concentration leads to a dramatic change in activity of glucokinase
physiological
Beta cells should only secrete insulin in response to blood glucose rising above …
5 mM
Describe normal secretion of insulin
Glucose enters beta cells through GLUT 2 and is phosphorylated by glucokinase, increased glucose metabolism increases intracellular ATP concentration, ATP inhibits KATP channel which leads to depolarisation of cell membrane resulting in opening of voltage gated Ca channels. An increase in Ca2 concentration leads to fusion of secretory vesicles with the cell membrane and release of insulin.
Release of insulin is _1____ 5% of granules are ____2___ for release and rest ___3____
1) biphasic
2) immediately available for release
3) reverse pool must undergo preparatory reactions to become mobilised and available for release
Those with type 2 diabetes will have a flattened phase1 as they are
always releasing insulin
Describe Glucokinase vs Hexokinase
Hexokinase is found in all tissues of body where cellular metabolism occurs except the liver and pancreatic beta cells. It has high affinity for glucose so when supply is low the reaction can still occur but Vmax is low so isn’t ideal for rapid generation of energy from glucose
Glucokinase is only present in the liver and pancreatic beta cells. The affinity for glucose is lower (higher KM) but has a higher Vmax so rapid conversion of glucose to energy. Useful following a big meal.
KATP channels consists of 2 proteins: ____1_____
___2___ are required for a functional channel
Intracellular ATP inhibits KATP which ____3______
KATP is stimulated by diazoxide which ____4____
1) an inward rectifier subunit Kir6 and a sulphonylurea receptor SUR1
2) both
3) causes insulin release
4) prevents insulin release
What is KATP stimulated by?
Diazoxide
Is insulin an anabolic or catabolic hormone? What does this mean?
Insulin is an anabolic hormone: causes cellular growth through activating anabolic pathways
Name 7 things insulin turns on
1) amino acid uptake in muscle
2) DNA synthesis
3) Protein synthesis
4) Growth responses
5) glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue
6) glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle
7) Lipogenesis in adipose tissue and liver
Name 2 things insulin turns off
Lipolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver
Describe how insulin acts?
Insulin release is mainly driven by rise in blood glucose levels after a meal. Major action is to stimulate glucose uptake with subsequent manufacture of glycogen and triglycerides by adipose, muscle and liver cells.
Its effects are mediated by a receptor tyrosine kinase. This activates an intracellular pathway that results in translocation of glucose transporter GLUT-4 to plasma membrane of affected cell to facilitate the entry of glucose.
Describe tyrosine kinase
Enzyme that can transfer phosphate from ATP to a protein in a cell.
Of the types of receptors which has the fastest response?
Ligand gated ion channels
Describe the response time of ligand gated ion channels?
Response at cellular level in ms - really fast!
Describe how ligand gated ion channels work?
Hormone binds and initiates chemical change within the receptor altering the structure which allows ion channel to open up.
What is an example of a ligand gated ion channel?
Nicotinic receptors (fast acting cholinoreceptors)
2 examples of GCPRs?
Muscarinic receptors (parasympathetic) Adrenoreceptors (Sympathetic)
G protein coupled receptors consist of __1___ transmembrane alpha helices with an extracellular __2___ and intracellular ___3____
G proteins have an _____4______
1) seven
2) NH2
3) COOH
4) alpha subunit attached to GDP, a beta gamma subunit/ dimer
Describe how GCPRs work?
Agonist e.g. adrenaline activates receptor by causing conformational change so G protein attaches. GDP dissociates from alpha subunit and GTP binds. GTP essentially charges up the alpha subunit to prepare to act on enzyme nearby. Alpha subunit combines with and modifies activity of receptor. The signal is turned off when GTP is hydrolysed and everything returns to initial conformation.
Beta 2 adrenoreceptors are coupled with ___1____
Alpha 2 adrenoreceptors are coupled with __2____
Alpha 1 adrenoreceptors are coupled with __3___
1) Gs
2) Gi
3) Gq
Describe the response time of GCPRs?
Response occurs in seconds- SLOWER than ligand gated
Describe specifically GCPR action in relation to beta 2 receptors?
adenyl cyclase activation > cAMP > PKA > Inhibition of MLCK (enzyme that aids contractility of smooth muscle) > BRONCHODILATION
Describe specifically GCPR action in relation to alpha 2 receptors?
adenyl cyclase is inhibited and beta gamma dimer activates K+ channel > hyperpolarisation > relaxation of the GI tract
Describe specifically GCPR action in relation to alpha 1 receptors?
activation of phospholipase > increased Ca2+ > vasoconstriction
Which receptor allows divergent cellular responses?
Kinase linked receptors/ receptor tyrosine kinase
Describe the action of kinase linked receptors?
The receptor has intra and extracellular components. Agonist will bind and then get phosphorylation of intracellular tyrosine residues. Relay proteins will attach to intracellular residues, different relay proteins for different residues, these will activate different proteins etc. so there is divergent cellular responses.
Describe the response time of kinase linked receptors?
Complex pathway so takes hours
Define autocrine regulation
Chemicals released from the cells bind to receptors on or in the cell that is releasing them
Define paracrine regulation
Chemicals released from the cells bind to adjacent cells
Define endocrine regulation
Chemicals released from the cells are transported via the circulatory system. Secretion into the blood stream means target cells may not be close by but physiological response can still be initiated