Cell Bio Lecture 2- Cell Signaling Flashcards
what are the 4 major pathways of cell signal entry into the cell?
- hydrophobic channels
- ion channels
- G-coupled protein receptor
- receptor kinase signals
what is cell signaling?
the mechanism in which cells communicate via direct contact or through chemical signals to initiate an outcome
what does cell signaling allow cells to do?
respond quickly to stimuli within the microenvironment to maintain homeostasis
what can dysregulation in cell signaling lead to?
disease
what are the 2 types of cell signals?
- intercellular communication
- intracellular communication
how can intercellular communication occur? (2)
- direct cell contact
- chemical signals traveling short or long distances
define intracellular communication
cells autostimulate themselves
give an example of direct cell contact intercellular communication
juxtacrine signaling like MHC-TCR
give examples of short distance and long distance intercellular communication
short distance: paracrine signaling via epinephrine
long distance: endocrine signaling with FSH, LH
describe how hydrophobic molecules enter the cell
they are hydrophobic so they can diffuse right through the noncharged cell membrane
what kind of molecules commonly utilize ion channels?
second messengers
what is the free diffusion of hydrophobic molecules into the cell also known as?
second messenger system
list 7 examples of known hydrophobic molecules that diffuse through cell membranes
- nitric oxide
- arachidonic acid
- steroids
- O2
- CO2
- N2
- benzene
describe nitric oxide
an important endogenous chemical produced during oxidative stress; has both beneficial and adverse effects and is a hydrophobic molecule that freely diffuses through the cell membrane
describe arachidonic acid
produces many vasodilators and constrictors; important in repro (used to induce labor) and immune responses; is a hydrophobic molecule that freely diffuses through the cell membrane
describe steroids
regulators of transcription via specific receptors and include cholesterol, progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol; all are important hydrophobic molecules that freely diffuse through the cell membrane
describe estrogen as related to cell entry (2)
- also called beta-estradiol; the major female sex hormone in mammals
- an endocrine compound that can bind to estrogen receptors located on the surface of cells or within cells (hydrophobic molecule remember?) and affect cell activity
describe endogenous estrogen
can function as proinflammatory modulator as a means to protect the female against pathogens during the reproductive/early years of life
what is the downside of estrogen?
has been linked to autoimmune diseases and cancer; typically manifested later in life
describe the risk/relation between estrogen and breast cancer; describe prevention
human females and companion animal species who retain their reproductive organs are at an increased risk for mammary/breast cancer; the prevention route in companion species is to spay the animal after 1-3 heat cycles; breeder females are at higher risk for mammary cancer
what are ion channels composed of?
membrane proteins that facilitate the passage of ions through the cell membrane
list 3 ions that commonly use ions channels to enter the cell
- Ca2+
- K+
- Na+
how is the passage of ions through ion channels controlled? what are the two types?
controlled through gates; either
1. voltage-gated channels
or
2. ligand-gated channels
what is the major role of ion transfer?
to regulate membrane potential
give 3 examples of ion channel blockers and their mechanism of action plus clinical relevance
lidocaine, novacaine, and carbocaine are all topical local anesthetics that block neural sensation by blocking sodium channels
why does calcium have a number of important roles in cell function?
a good number of intracellular enzymes require calcium for activation
describe calcium and give extracellular to intracellular ratio
calcium is a universal signal transduction ion/element influencing cell growth and differentiation; calcium outside is 10,000:1 inside cells so ion channels are hella important to get that calcium inside the cell
what is the major site for sequestered intracellular calcium?
the endoplasmic reticulum
how is intracellular calcium regulated?
by binding proteins like calmodulin and ion exchange pathways
what happens regarding calcium upon external or internal cell stimulation?
intercellular calcium levels rise to facilitate cell signaling pathways