Cell Biology Flashcards
Who proposed the cell theory?
Robert Hooke
What 2 principles were proposed by Schleiden and Schwann?
- All organisms consist of one or more cells
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure of all organisms
What are the 3 types of prokaryotes?
- Organotrophic
- Phototrophic
- Lithotrophic
What are some structural differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes: - Non-membrane bound DNA - circular DNA - Have both cell wall and cell membrane - Some have flagellum for movement Eukaryotes: - Nucleus bound DNA - nuclear envelope - No cell wall - cytoskeleton gives tensile strength and allows transport across cell
What are some examples of tools used to study cells?
- Microscopes - light and electron
- Dyes
- Antibodies
- Fluorescence
- Fractionation
What are the 2 fundamental properties of membranes?
- Form flexible, continuous barriers between cell and external environment and between intracellular organelles
- Selectively permeable allowing transport of ions/molecules
What are the main components of cell membranes?
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
What forces hold phospholipids together in membranes?
Non - covalent
Why are phospholipids described as ampiphatic molecules?
They have a polar (hydrophillic) head group and non-polar (hydrophobic) tail
What makes the fatty acid tails of phospholipids saturated or unsaturated?
Presence of double bonds in unsaturated
What are the 4 major membrane phospholipids?
- Phosphatidyl-ethanolamine
- Phosphatidyl-choline
- Phosphatidyl-serine
- Sphingomyelin
What’s significant about Phosphatidyl-serine molecules?
It carries a net negative charge
What are the properties of the phospholipid bilayer?
- Form bilayers with hydrophillic head groups on the surface and hydrophobic fatty acids pointing inwards
- Loosely packed to allow movement within membrane
- Self-repairing to eliminate free edge exposed to water when there is a tear
What is the movement of phospholipids like within the membrane?
- Phospholipids move and rotate readily in the later plane
- Flip-flop from one leaflet to the other is slow
What 2 factors will increase membrane fluidity?
- More unsaturated chains make it difficult to pack close together
- Shorter chain lengths reduce interaction between phospholipids
How does Cholesterol affect membrane permeability?
Does this affect membrane fluidity?
- Cholesterol decreases membrane permeability
- It does not decrease fluidity
In high concentrations what does Cholesterol prevent?
Membrane crystallisation
What are the 2 types of membrane proteins?
- Transmembrane proteins
2. Membrane Associated proteins
What are the 2 main arrangements of membrane proteins?
- Alpha helix
2. Beta sheets (beta barrels)
What can attach membrane associated proteins to the lipid bilayer?
- Transmembrane proteins
- Lipid anchors
What is an example of a lipid anchor?
How does it attach the protein to the bilayer?
- Phosphatidylinositol
- Via fatty acids or a prenyl group
What are 3 advantages of lipid anchoring proteins?
- Increased mobility at cell surface
- Rapid release of protein into extracellular space
- Regulation of binding and release of proteins to membrane
Are membrane proteins fluid?
Yes, but move less rapidly than phospholipids
What are lipid rafts?
What do they do?
- Areas of increased rigidity and thickness in the membrane
- Keep proteins anchored preventing movement
What are lipid rafts composed of?
- Cholesterol
- Sphingolipids
- Proteins
What filamentous protein makes up the meshwork of RBC membranes?
How are they arranged?
- Spectrin
- 2 spectrin dimers join end to end to form tetramers
What link together Spectrin tetramers?
What are these composed of?
Name the proteins
- Junctional complexes
- Actin filaments and proteins
- Band 4.1, Adducin and Tropomyosin
What 2 transmembrane proteins attach cytoskeleton to membrane?
- Band 3
2. Glycophorin
What causes Sickle cell-shaped RBC?
Mutation in spectrin that causes it to stiffen and prevents RBC squeezing through capillaries
What 2 things help to maintain membrane asymmetry?
- Tight junctions
2. Lipid rafts
Give an example of how the lipid composition of each leaflet differs?
Phosphatidyl-serine is found in the cytosolic monolayer to help maintain negative potential across membrane
What is the enzyme that drives symmetry in the membrane?
Scramblase
What is the enzyme that drives asymmetry in the membrane?
What is different about this enzyme to Scramblase?
- Flippase
- It is energy dependent (requires ATP)
What 2 cellular processes is asymmetry of membranes used in?
- Apoptosis
2. Coagulation
How is asymmetry of membranes used in coagulation?
Phosphatidyl-serine provides nucleation site on platelets for coagulation cascade
What are the 4 blood groups?
What determines what blood type an individual is?
- O, A, B or AB
- Structure of oligosaccharide attached to RBC membrane
How is the blood group of an individual clinically important?
What are O blood group individuals said to be?
What are AB blood group individuals said to be?
- In blood transfusions A group or B group can only receive blood from the same group
- O blood group can be donated to anyone (universal donor)
- AB blood group can accept blood from anyone (universal acceptor)
What is the Glycocalyx?
- Carbohydrate-rich zone on cell surface
What is the function of the Glycocalyx?
- Protects cell against mechanical and chemical damage
- Prevents unwanted cell-cell interactions
How is the Glycocalyx formed?
Secreted into the extracellular space and then reabsorbed back onto cell surface
What are the 2 main classes of membrane transporters?
- Carriers
2. Channels
How do carriers allow transport across membrane?
Bind specific solutes and undergo conformational changes that moves solute across membrane and releases them into cell
How do channels allow transport across membrane?
Form continuous pores that extend across bilayer to allow specific solutes to pass through when they’re open
How does passive transport of solutes occur across the membrane?
The concentration gradient of solutes drives their transport and direction, they go from high to low concentrations
What is the usual electrochemical gradient across cell membranes?
- Negative inside
- Positive outside
When is active transport used?
When solutes need to be transported against their electrochemical gradients
What does active transport require?
ATP
What are the 3 ways cells carry out active transport?
- Coupled transporters
- ATP driven pumps
- Light driven pumps
How do coupled transporters perform active transport?
Harness energy stored in concentration gradients to couple uphill transport of one solute with downhill transport of another
How do ATP driven pumps perform active transport?
Couple uphill transport with hydrolysis of ATP molecules
How do Light driven pumps perform active transport?
Couple uphill transport with input of energy from light
What are the 3 types of carrier-mediated transporters?
How do they function?
- Uniporters - passively mediate movement of one solute from one side to the other
- Symporters - simultaneous transport of 2 solutes in the same direction
- Antiporters - alternating transport of 2 solutes in opposite directions
Give 4 properties of ion channels.
- Form narrow hydrophillic pores through membrane
- Specific for different ions/solutes e.g. K+ and Na+
- Allow rapid movement of ions down electrochemical gradient
- Open and close rapidly
What is the opening and closing of ion channels regulated by?
- Binding of ions
- Changes in voltage
- Binding of small molecules
How does a cell take up Glucose against its concentration gradient?
Downhill transport of Na+ is coupled with uphill transport of glucose against its concentration gradient
What is the Na+/K+-ATPase used for?
Used to generate the resting membrane potential of a cell - makes the inside more negative than the outside
How does the Na+/K+-ATPase work as an antiporter?
Actively pumps 3 Na+ out of the cell for every 2 K+ into the cell
What 3 carriers are involved in the transport of Glucose across intestinal enterocytes?
- Glucose/Na+ symporter on apical surface
- Na+/K+-ATPase on basal surface
- Glucose carrier on basal surface
Describe the route for the transport of Glucose across intestinal enterocytes.
- Glucose is transported against its concentration gradient across the apical membrane by a Glucose/Na+ symporter (Active)
- Glucose then passes through a carrier protein down its concentration gradient (Passive)
- A Na+/K+-ATPase maintains the ionic concentrations inside the cell
Where is the nucleus positioned in an epithelial cell?
Towards the basolateral surface if the cell
What is the relation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum to the Nucleus?
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is continuous with the nuclear membrane
What is the name of the space between the inner and outer nuclear membranes?
Perinuclear space
At what structures do the inner and outer mnuclear membranes meet?
Nuclear pores
What is the Nuclear lamina?
What is its function?
What are the 3 types of lamina?
- A protein meshwork
- Provides structural support for nuclear envelope
- Lamina A, B and C
What is the composition of the Nucleoplasm?
- Ions
- Enzymes
- Nucleotides
- Small amounts of DNA and RNA
What is different about the Nucleolus compared to other organelles?
It is not membrane bound
What occurs in the Nucleolus?
Processing of RNAs and their assembly into Ribosomes
What macromolecules are within the Nucleolus (7 macromolecules)?
- rRNA genes
- Precursor and Mature RNA
- rRNA processing enzymes
- snoRNPs (small nucleolar RNAs)
- Assembly factors - ATPases, GTPases, RNA Helicases etc.
- Ribosomal proteins
- Partly assembled ribosomes
What is the significance of close association of macromolecules in the Nucleolus?
It allows rapid assembly of ribosomes
How does DNA form chromosomes?
- DNA wraps around histones to form nucleosomes
- These undergo supercoiling to form chromosomes
In a non-dividing cell how is the DNA stored?
Loosely packed strands of Chromatin
How many subunits make up a Nuclear Pore Complex?
8 subunits with a central plug
What is the name of the proteins that make up a Nuclear Pore Complex?
Nuceloporins
Is transport through a Nuclear Pore Complex one directional?
No, NPCs can transport in both directions simultaneously
What is the cut-off size (daltons) for passive diffusion of molecules through a Nuclear Pore Complex?
How is this cut-off established?
How do molecules larger than the cut-off pass through the nuclear membrane?
- 60,000 Daltons
- Nucleoporins have unstructured regions that form a disordered tangle and prevent large molecules diffusing
- Molecules larger than 60,000D must be actively transported across the nuclear membrane
What are Nuclear Localisation Signals?
They are responsible for the selectivity of nuclear transport
What are the 4 main subunits of Nuclear Pore Complexes?
- Column subunit
- Annular subunit
- Lumenal subunit
- Ring subunit
How can large proteins be visualised entering Nuclear Pore Complexes?
How are they transported through the NPC?
- Coating them with gold particles
- They bind to cytosolic fibrils then proceed through the NPC
Give 2 examples of why Nuclear transport via Nuclear Pore Complexes is necessary.
- Synthesis of DNA histone molecules occurs in cytoplasm and these need to be transported into the nucleus for packaging of DNA
- Ribosomes synthesised in the Nucleolus must be transported into the cytoplasm
What is the evidence that some nuclear transport is an active process?
- In the absence of ATP proteins bind to fibrils but do not proceed through NPC
- When ATP is added the proteins appear in the nucleus
What is the structure of a mitochondria?
- 2 membranes
- Outer membrane encloses the organelle
- Inner membrane is highly folded to increase surface area for Oxidative phosphorylation
- Space between membranes is the intermembrane space
What does the inner matrix of mitochondria contain?
Enzymes necessary for respiration
What is the theory of Mitochondrial evolution?
- Aerobic bacterium were taken up by eukaryotic cells to live symbiotically as promitochondrian
- Development of multiple mitochondria provided energy for bigger cells
Who is mitochondrial DNA inherited from?
It is only inherited from the mother
Is the rate of mutations higher or lower in Mitochondrial DNA than nuclear DNA?
Why is this?
- Rate of mutations is higher in MtDNA
- This is due to the absence of proof-reading enzymes in MtDNA
What can analysis of Mitochondrial DNA reveal?
How is this linked to the Out of Africa Theory?
- Movements and establishment of new population groups can be tracked from changes in MtDNA
- Analysis of large groups of people suggest modern humans have origins in Africa from 100,000 years ago
What is the function of mitochondria?
How does it achieve this?
- Energy production
- Pyruvate from Glycolysis enters the mitochondria and is converted to Acetyl CoA before entering the Krebs cycle to generate ATP
- Hydrogen ions are used in Oxidative Phosphorylation to generate ATP
How are inner membranes of mitochondrial adapted to produce ATP?
They have ATP synthase enzymes which use H+ ions to drive the formation of ATP
What is the underlying theme in mitochondrial disorders?
The lack of ability to meet cellular energy demands
Why is there a wide range of mitochondrial disorders?
Due to the uneven distribution of mutant mitochondria during cellular division in development
What is the structure of Chloroplasts?
- Have their own DNA
- Have double membrane enclosing the stroma
- Grana - stacks of thylakoid membranes which carry out photosynthesis
What is contained in the stroma of Chloroplasts?
All of the enzymes and substrates for photosynthesis
What are the 2 phases of Photosynthesis?
- Light Dependent Reaction
- Light Independent Reaction
What occurs during the Light Dependent Reaction?
Photosynthetic electron transfer reactions
- Involves the electron transfer pathway and begins with the excitation of an electron on chlorophyll by light
What occurs during the Light Independent Reaction?
Carbon fixation reactions
- ATP and NADPH provide energy source and reducing power to convert CO2 into carbohydrates
What are Peroxisomes?
What is their function?
- A single membrane organelle found in all eukaryotic cells
- They carry out oxidative reactions and contain a variety of enzymes e.g. urate oxidase
- Also have a role in detoxification in the liver
How do Peroxisomes remove Hydrogen atoms?
RH2 + O2 –> H2O2
- Peroxide produced is toxic and used by peroxisomes
H2O2 + R1H2 –> R1 + 2H2O
What occurs during Glycolysis?
What are the products?
- Glucose in degraded to Pyruvate
- 2xPyruvate, 2xATP and 2xNADH
What are the 2 phases of Glycolysis?
What occurs during each phase?
- Preparation phase - Conversion of 1 glucose into 2 Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
- Pay-off phase - Conversion of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate into Pyruvate
Glycolysis - Reaction 1:
What is Glucose converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is consumed in this reaction?
- Glucose –> Glucose-6-Phosphate
- Catalysed by Hexokinase
- 1 ATP is consumed (supplied in the form of MgATP)
What is the significance that Glucose-6-Phosphate is a charged molecule?
It traps Glucose within the cell
What type of Hexokinaase is found in hepatocytes?
What is different about this type of hexokinase?
- Type 4 Hexokinase (Glucokinase) is found in hepatocytes
- Hexokinase works at maximum rate at low glucose levels
- Glucokinase don’t reach maximum rate until glucose levels increase
Glycolysis - Reaction 2:
What is Glucose-6-Phosphate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
Is this reaction reversible?
- Glucose-6-Phosphate –> Fructose-6-Phosphate
- Catalysed by Phosphoglucose Isomerase
- Yes this reaction is freely reversible, direction depends on substrate concentrations
Glycolysis - Reaction 3:
What is Fructose-6-Phosphate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is consumed in this reaction?
- Fructose-6-Phosphate –> Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate
- Catalysed by Phosphofructokinase-1
- 1 ATP is consumed
Glycolysis - Reaction 4:
What is Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What happens to the 2 products of this reaction?
- Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate –> Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate + Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate
- Catalysed by Aldolase
- Only Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate can proceed onto next stage of Glycolysis
- Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate must be converted to another Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
Glycolysis - Reaction 5:
What is Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
- Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate –> Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
- Catalysed by Triose Phosphate Isomerase
Glycolysis - Reaction 6:
What is Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What happens to NAD+ during this reaction?
What is consumed in this reaction (difference to previous reactions)?
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate –> 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- Catalysed by Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase
- During this NAD+ is reduced to NADH
- Pi group is consumed but not from ATP, instead from an inorganic Pi group
Is the conversion of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate reversible?
Yes, the same enzyme (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase) catalyses the reverse reaction in gluconeogenesis
Glycolysis - Reaction 7: What is 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate converted to? What enzyme catalyses this reaction? What is produced in this reaction? Is this reaction reversible?
- 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate –> 3-Phosphoglycerate
- Catalysed by Phosphoglycerate Kinase
- 1 ATP is produced
- Yes, this is the only reaction involving ATP that is reversible
How does exposure to Arsenate lead to poisoning?
- Arsenate is a similar size to Phosphate
- So arsenate substitutes for phosphate and product is unstable and hydrolyses
- So conversion of 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate to 3-Phosphoglycerate is skipped and the net production of ATP is 0
Glycolysis - Reaction 8:
What is 3-Phosphoglycerate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
- 3-Phosphoglycerate –> 2-Phosphoglycerate
- Catalysed by Phosphoglycero Mutase
Glycolysis - Reaction 9:
What is 2-Phosphoglycerate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- 2-Phosphoglycerate –> Phosphoenolpyruvate
- Catalysed by Enolase
- 1 H2O is produced
Glycolysis - Reaction 10:
What is Phosphoenolpyruvate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced by this reaction?
- Phosphoenolpyruvate –> Pyruvate
- Catalysed by Pyruvate Kinase
- 1 ATP is produced
Is there a net gain or loss of ATP from Glycolysis?
- 2 ATP used
- 4 ATP produced
- Net gain of 2 ATP per molecule of Glucose
In aerobic conditions, what is the fate of Pyruvate?
Enters mitochondria and converted to Acetyl CoA and enters Krebs cycle
In anaerobic conditions , what is the fate of Pyruvate?
It is converted into Lactate
What enzyme catalyses the conversion of Pyruvate to Lactate in anaerobic conditions?
What is also consumed in this reaction and where does it come from?
- Lactate Dehydrogenase
- NADH is oxidised to NAD+
- NADH comes from conversion of Glycerate-3-aldehyde to 1,3-Bisphosphate
What is the significance of the conversion of Pyruvate to Lactate in anaerobic conditions?
It allows Glycolysis to continue under anaerobic conditions for a short period of time
What are the 3 points for regulation in the Glycolysis pathway?
- Hexokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Pyruvate Kinase
How is Glycolysis regulated by Hexokinase?
- Hexokinase is regulated by the concentration of Glucose-6-Phosphate
- Not a major point of regulation
How is Glycolysis regulated by Phosphofructokinase-1?
- Phosphofructokinase-1 is inhibited by ATP
- Phosphofructokinase-1 is activated by AMP
Explain the regulation of Glycolysis using Phosphofructokinase-2.
- Phosphofructokinase-1 catalyses conversion of Fructose-6-Phosphate to Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate
- This reaction is reversed by enzyme Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase
- Phosphofructokinase-2 converts F-6-P to Fructose-2,6-Bisphosphate
- F-2,6-BP promotes the forward reaction and inhibits the reverse reaction
- F-2,6-BP can be converted back to F-6-P, catalysed by a phosphorylated Fructose-2,6-Bisphosphatase
- This is activated by Protein Kinase A
How is Glycolysis regulated by Pyruvate Kinase?
- Pyruvate Kinase is inhibited by ATP and Acetyl CoA
- Pyruvate Kinase is activated by Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate
What is Tauri Disease?
What does it lead to?
- Disease that prevents the conversion of Fructose-6-Phosphate to Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase
- Produces muscle weakness and cramping
Where does the Krebs’ Cycle occur?
Mitochondrial matrix
What are some cofactors and coenzymes involved in the conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl CoA?
- Coenzyme A
- NAD+
- FAD+
- Lipoic Acid
- Thiamine Pyrophosphate
What is the net reaction for the conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl CoA?
Pyruvate + CoA + NAD+ –> CO2 + Acetyl CoA + NADH + H+
What happens to Pyruvate after it has entered the mitochondria from glycolysis?
What enzyme does this involve?
- It is rapidly decarboxylated
- The enzyme is Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 1:
What is Oxaloacetate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What type of reaction is this?
- Oxaloacetate –> Citrate
- Catalysed by Citrate Synthase
- Condensing reaction
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 2:
What is Citrate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced but then consumed in this 2-step reaction?
- Citrate –> Isocitrate
- Catalysed by Aconitase
- H2O is first removed but then added back to move hydroxyl group
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 3:
What is Isocitrate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- Isocitrate –> Alpha-Ketoglutarate
- Catalysed by Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
- CO2 is produced and NAD+ is reduced to NADH
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 4:
What is Alpha-Ketoglutarate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate –> Succinyl-CoA
- Catalysed by Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase
- CO2 is produced and NAD+ is reduced to NADH
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 5:
What is Succinyl-CoA converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- Succinyl-CoA –> Succinate
- Catalysed by Succinate Thiokinase
- GDP is converted to GTP
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 6:
What is Succinate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- Succinate –> Fumarate
- Catalysed by Succinate Dehydrogenase
- FAD is reduced to FADH2
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 7:
What is Fumarate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is consumed in this reaction?
- Fumarate –> Malate
- Catalysed by Fumerase
- H2O is consumed in this reaction
Krebs Cycle - Reaction 8:
What is Malate converted to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is produced in this reaction?
- Malate –> Oxaloacetate
- Catalysed by Malate Dehydrogenase
- NAD+ is reduced to NADH
For each turn of the Krebs Cycle, what are the net products?
- 2 CO2
- 3 NADH
- 1 FADH2
- 1 GTP
For 1 molecule of Glucose what are the net products of Glycolysis, Pyruvate Dehydrogenase and Krebs cycle?
- Glycolysis - 2 Pyruvate, 2 ATP and 2 NADH
- PDH - 2 AcetylCoA, 2 CO2 and 2 NADH
- Krebs Cycle - 4 CO2, 6 NADH, 2 FADH2 and 2GTP
What are the 2 enzymes that regulate the activity of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase complex?
What is their effect on PDH complex?
- PDH Kinase - inhibits PDH complex
2. PDH Phosphatase - activates PDH complex
What are some examples of allosteric regulators that increase the activity of PDH Kinase?
- NADH
- ATP
- Acetyl-CoA
What are some examples of allosteric regulators that decrease the activity of PDH Kinase?
- Pyruvate
- NAD+
- CoA
- ADP
- Ca2+
What are some examples of allosteric regulators that increase the activity of PDH Phosphatase?
- Ca2+
- Mg2+
What are the 3 points of regulation in the Krebs Cycle?
What is the regulation linked to?
- Citrate Synthase
- Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase
- Regulation linked to the levels of substrates and products
What effect will an increase in the products of the Krebs cycle have on its rate?
Increase in products (e.g. NADH and ATP) will inhibit the Krebs cycle and slow it down
What effect will an increase in the substrates of the Krebs cycle have on its rate?
Increase in substrates (e.g NAD+ and ADP) will stimulate the Krebs cycle and speed it up
How does exposure to Sodium Fluoroacetate result in poisoning? (Krebs Cycle)
It inhibits Aconitase so Citrate cannot be converted to Isocitrate and the increased Citrate leads to an accumulation of Citric Acid
What vitamin is there a deficiency of in Beriberi disease?
How does this effect the Krebs cycle?
What symptoms does this cause in the individual?
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Thiamine Pyrophosphate is required as part of the PDH complex and Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase
- Deficiency leads to high levels of Pyruvate and Alpha-Ketoglutarate in the blood
- Produces symptoms such as neurological and cardiac impairment
Can Fatty Acids and Amino Acids be used in the Krebs Cycle?
Yes, both can be degraded and used as substrates in the Krebs cycle
How can Fatty Acids be used in the Krebs Cycle?
They are broken down by 4 enzymes into 2 carbon molecules to produce Acetyl-CoA which can then enter the Krebs cycle
How can Amino Acids be used in the Krebs Cycle?
Amino Acids don’t have to be converted they can enter the Krebs cycle directly at various points
What happens during Oxidative Phosphorylation? (Overview)
- Electrons are transferred from NADH and FADH2 to O2 to form H2O
- This is achieved by means of 4 membrane protein complexes
- Process generates a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane which is then used to drive an ATP synthase to produce ATP
What are 4 examples of electron carriers in Oxidative Phosphorylation?
- NAD and FAD
- Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q)
- Cytochromes
- Iron-Sulfur Proteins
What are the 3 types of cytochromes involved in Oxidative Phosphorylation?
Are they membrane bound or soluble?
- A - membrane bound
- B - membrane bound
- C - soluble
What is the basic formation of Iron-Sulfur proteins used in Oxidative Phosphorylation?
Iron and Sulfur molecules form complexes which then coordinate with Cysteine residues on a protein
Oxidative Phosphorylation - Complex I:
What are the electrons from NADH transferred to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What does this reaction produce and what happens to this?
How many protons are pumped into the inner mitochondrial space?
- NADH –> Ubiquinone
- Catalysed by NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase
- Ubiquinol is produced by this reaction and this diffuses to complex II
- 4 protons are pumped into the inner mitochondrial space
Oxidative Phosphorylation - Complex II: What are the electrons from Succinate transferred to? What enzyme catalyses this reaction? What does this reaction produce? What electron carrier is involved?
- Succinate –> Ubiquinone
- Catalysed by Succinate Dehydrogenase
- Ubiquinol is produced by this reaction
- Succinate transfers electrons to FAD which then transfers electrons to Ubiquinone
Oxidative Phosphorylation - Complex III:
What are the electrons from Ubiquinone transferred to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What is the problem with this reaction and how is it overcome?
- Ubiquinone –> Cytochrome C
- Catalysed by Cytochrome bc1 Complex or Ubiquinone:Cytochrome C Oxidoreductase
- Cytochrome C can only accept 1 electron, but Ubiquinone donates 2 electrons
- 1 electron is transferred to Cytochrome C and the other electron is recycled through the complex forming semi-ubiquinone
Oxidative Phosphorylation - Complex IV:
What are the electrons from Cytochrome C transferred to?
What enzyme catalyses this reaction?
What does this reaction produce?
How many protons are pumped into the inner mitochondrial space?
- Cytochrome C –> O2
- Cytochrome Oxidase
- H2O is produced by this reaction
- 4 protons are pumped into the inner mitochondrial space
During the formation of H2O in Complex IV of Oxidative Phosphorylation what is consumed?
What is the significance of this?
- 4 protons are consumed from inside the mitochondria
- This helps to amplify the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane
What are the 2 subunits of ATP Synthase?
What are their functions?
- F1 - ATPase for formation of ATP
2. F0 - membrane embedded portion which acts as a pore for Protons to pass through to drive ATPase
What are the 3 states of Beta subunit of F1 ATPase?
What is bound at each state?
- Beta-Empty - nothing bound
- Beta-ADP - ADP and Pi bound
- Beta-ATP - ATP bound
How does the movement of Protons through ATP Synthase drive ATP formation?
- As the protons pass through the F0 complex they cause the subunits to rotate by 1/3
- Each 1/3 turn causes a conformational change in the Beta subunit of F1 ATPase
What is the total yield of ATP from respiration?
Given 10 NADH and 2 FADH2 from Glycolysis, PDH complex and Krebs cycle.
- 10 NADH and 2 FADH2 give a yield of 34 ATP molecules
- Addition of 2 ATP molecules produced in Glycolysis
- Total yield = 36 ATP molecules
How is Oxidative Phosphorylation regulated?
- At rest, the proton motor force is high, but due to high ATP levels the flow of protons is slow
- During exercise when ATP is used up, ADP levels rise and the flow of protons through ATP Synthase is increased
What are the 2 types of inhibitors of Oxidative Phosphorylation?
Give an example for each type
- Electron Transport Inhibitors - prevents carriers receiving electrons - E.g. Cyanide
- Uncoupling Agent - dissipate the proton gradient so harder to make ATP - E.g. 2,4-Dinitrophenol
What is the codon for Methionine?
AUG
What are the 3 stop codons?
- UAG
- UGA
- UAA
What is attached to a tRNA molecule to from Amino-acylt tRNA?
Amino acids
What do all of the ribosomes in a cell form?
Nissl substance
What are the 3 binding sites on a ribosome?
- A - Amino-Acyl tRNA site
- P - Peptidyl tRNA site
- E - Exit
Describe the events that take place during the translation cycle.
- Incoming aa-tRNA binds to vacant A site on ribosome
- Small and large subunits of ribosome undergo conformational change, so that aa-tRNA now occupies P site
- Enzyme Peptidyl Transferase forms new peptide bonds between amino acids in ribosome
- mRNA moves 3 nucleotides through the small subunit and the tRNA is ejected from the E site
What enzyme forms the peptide bond between incoming amino acids in the Translation cycle?
Peptidyl Transferase
What elongation factor are incoming Amino-Acyl tRNAs associated with?
What type of protein is this?
- EF-Tu-GTP
- GTP Hydrolysing protein
How does base pairing effect the activity of EF-Tu-GTP?
- Correct base pairing between tRNA and mRNA stimulates EF-Tu-GTP activity
- Incorrect base pairing between tRNA and mRNA inhibits the activity and the tRNA dissociates
If base pairing between tRNA and mRNA is correct, what happens to the EF-Tu-GTP?
What does this mean for the Amino-Acyl tRNA
- GTP is converted to GDP and the EF-Tu dissociates from the complex
- The aa-tRNA is now captured in the ribosome
After EF-Tu-GDP dissociates from the complex, what elongation factor binds to the A site on the ribosome?
What does this binding promote?
- EF-G-GTP
- Binding of this promotes movements of tRNA into hybrid state (A to P and P to E)
What causes movement of tRNAs into P and E sites?
Hydrolysis of GTP by EF-G
What codon does translation always begin with?
What amino acid does this code for?
- AUG
- Methionine
How is protein synthesis initiated using the initiator tRNA?
What initiation factor does this involve?
- Initiator tRNA is loaded into the small ribosomal subunit
- Eukaryotic Initiation Factor eIF-2
Which end of mRNA does the ribosome bind to initiate protein synthesis?
5’ end of mRNA
Once small ribosomal subunit binds to mRNA what occurs?
Small ribosomal subunit initiates scanning for AUG codon (Methionine)
Once an AUG codon has been found on mRNA what occurs?
Initiation factors dissociate and the large ribosomal subunit associates to form the full ribosome on mRNA to begin translation
How is protein synthesis terminated?
- Stop codons (UAA, UAG and UGA) not recognised by tRNAs
- Release factors bind to A site on ribosome with stop codon in
- Peptidyl transferase catalyses transfer of H2O to C-terminus of protein
- Addition of water results in dissociation of protein from ribosome
How is the ribosome disassembled after termination of protein synthesis?
Release factor in P site causes ribosome disassembly
How do antibiotics work?
They can selectively inhibit the protein synthesising machinery of Bacteria
Why can side effects of Antibiotics arise?
Similarity between mitochondrial and bacterial protein synthesis
What are 2 examples of immediate modifications of proteins?
- Removal of targeting signal sequence
2. Folding
How is the targeting signal sequence removed from a protein?
What enzyme does this involve?
- Protein enters translocator in the ER membrane
- As it is thread through the protein is cleaved at target signal sequence
- Signal peptidase cleaves the sequence and mature protein released into ER lumen
When can folding of a protein occur?
- During translation (co-translational)
- During other modifications (post-translational)
What forces promote the folding of a protein (4 forces)?
- Disulphide bonds
- Ionic bonds
- Hydrogen bonds
- van der Waals forces
What does misfolding of proteins lead to?
Give an example of when misfiling of a protein can be detrimental.
- Misfolding of proteins leads to aggregation
- Beta amyloid misfiling leads to aggregation forming amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease
What is perversion of a protein?
How can it lead to disease?
- Misfolding of proteins can lead to perversion
- Abnormal prion proteins resists protease action
- Then recruits normal prion proteins and proliferates infecting the individual
What is the function of protein chaperones?
- To assist in protein folding
How do HSP70s assist protein folding?
Heat shock proteins help folding (HSP70s) using ATP
How do HSP60s assist protein folding?
HSP60s help later on to hide hydrophobic regions
How are incorrectly assembled proteins tagged for destruction?
Ubiquitin attaches to the degradation signal of a protein in hydrophobic regions
What are ubiquinated proteins destroyed by?
Proteosome
What does lipidation modifications of proteins allow?
Lipid anchoring of protein in the cell membrane
What does glycosylation modifications of proteins allow?
Provides protection for membrane-bound and secreted proteins
What is the protein modification of phosphorylation used for?
Regulation of protein interactions
How can phosphorylation affect proteins? (3 ways)
- Causes a major conformational change with the addition of 2 negatively charged phosphate groups
- Phosphate groups can form part of binding sites for protein-protein interactions
- Phosphate groups can mask binding sites preventing protein-protein interactions
How are the destinations of proteins coded?
A short sequence of amino acids acts as a patch which can be recognised and so protein is sent to destination
Where are signal sequences found in a protein?
N terminus
Do cytoplasmic proteins have signal sequences?
No the do not have signal sequences so aren’t relocated an remain in the cytoplasm
Once a protein has been transported to its target how does it cross the membrane of the target organelle?
What happens to the signal sequence?
- Protein docks in translocator complex via signal sequence
- Protein is fed through pore and enters organelle
- Signal sequence is then cleaved by Signal peptidase
What are signal sequences made of in proteins destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum?
Hydrophobic amino acids
What are signal sequences made of in proteins destined for the Mitochondria?
Alternating positively charged and hydrophobic amino acids
Outline the process of Nuclear Import.
- Nuclear Localisation Signals (NLS) in protein are recognised by Nuclear Import Receptors (NIR) causing them to bind
- Interaction between Protein-NIR complex and fibrils of Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) allow passage into nucleus
- Unstructured regions of NPCs are pushed aside to allow protein to pass through (requires ATP)
What are the 2 translocators involved in Mitochondrial import?
State where they are located.
- TOM Complex - outer membrane
2. TIM 23 Complex - inner membrane
Outline the process of Mitochondrial Import.
- Signal sequence is recognised by TOM complex causing them to bind
- TOM complex lines up with TIM 23 complex to form a single continuous pore through the mitochondrial membrane
- Protein is fed through the pore as an unfolded polypeptide chain
- Signal sequence is cleaved once protein has passed through to form the mature protein
What is the function of SAM Complexes?
They help transmembrane proteins in mitochondria fold correctly
What 2 components guide ER signal to the ER membrane?
How do they do this?
- Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) - binds to ER signal sequence on protein
- Signal Recognition Protein Receptor - located in ER membrane allows binding of protein to ER membrane
How does the Signal Recognition Particle bind to a protein destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum?
Both ends.
- One end binds to ER signal sequence as it emerges from ribosome
- Other end blocks elongation factor binding site to allow time for ribosome to bind to ER membrane
Outline the process of Endoplasmic Reticulum import.
- Signal Recognition Particle binds to signal sequence on protein and exposes a binding site for the Signal Recognition Protein Receptor
- Binding of SRP to its receptor brings Ribosome to an unoccupied translocator.
- SRP and receptor then released and translocator transfers growing polypeptide chain across ER membrane
- Signal sequence is cleaved by Signal peptidase and mature protein released into ER lumen