Cell Proliferation I Flashcards
What do cells need to pass in order to proliferate?
Restriction point (R-point)
What is the R-point?
What does it act as?
Restriction Point
Acts as a cellular brake, which blocks cells advancing from G1 to S-phase.
What are proliferative signals in the form?
Mitogens
What does a mitogen do?
Causes cell to synthesise proteins to overcome R-point
What is MAPK?
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase
It is a signalling cascade
How do MAPK signalling cascades operate?
They operate downstream of many Tyrosine Kinase Receptors (RTKs) like EGFR
ERK pathway (MAPK)
Raf
MEK 1/2
ERK 1/2
p38 pathway (MAPK)
TAK
MKK 3/6
p38
JNK pathway (MAPK)
MAP3K
MKK 4/7
JNK
What is the ERK pathway commonly activated by? (2)
- mitogens
- growth factors
What are the p38 and JNK pathways activated by? (3)
- cytokines
- osmotic stress
- DNA damage
What is Ras?
G-protein
What are Grb2 and Sos?
Guanine exchange factors (GEFs)
Function of GEF (3)
- activate G-proteins
- by releasing GDP
- and adding GTP
How does a mitogen outside the cell tell it to divide? (5)
1) receptor activation leads to Ras activation
2) active Ras attracts Raf to bind and become activated
3) Raf phosphorylates and activates MEK
4) MEK phosphorylates and activates ERK
5) action of ERK controls activation of protein and transcription factors
How do cells maintain rate of cell proliferation? (2)
- after activation, cells need to turn off proliferative pathway
- cells need to be able to die when required