Cell signaling Flashcards
Agonist
a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor to produce a biological response
Antagonist
a type of receptor ligand or drug that blocks or dampens a biological response by binding to and blocking a receptor rather than activating it like an agonist
Autocrine
a form of cell signaling in which a cell secretes a hormone or chemical messenger (called the autocrine agent) that binds to autocrine receptors on that same cell, leading to changes in the cell
Paracrine signaling
local, close
Endocrine signaling
Long distance signaling, uses circulatory system
cAMP
is a second messenger, used for intracellular signal transduction, such as transferring into cells the effects of hormones like glucagon and adrenaline, which cannot pass through the plasma membrane
Dephosphorylation
the removal of a phosphate (PO43−) group from an organic compound by hydrolysis
Effector
usually a small molecule that selectively binds to a protein and regulates its biological activity. In this manner, effector molecules act as ligands that can increase or decrease enzyme activity, gene expression, or cell signalling.
Heterotimeric G protein
the molecular switches that turn on intracellular signalling cascades in response to the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by extracellular stimuli. Therefore, G proteins have a crucial role in defining the specificity and temporal characteristics of the cellular response.
What are some qualities in cell signaling?
- short or long distance
- immediate or longer (change in gene expression)
- public or private
- to the cell or to other cells
What mechanisms can terminate the intracellular signaling pathway once the concentration of the external signal decreases?
- degradation of the second messenger
- desensitization of receptors
- deactivation of a signal transduction protein
Interferons are “pleiotropic” cytokines (pro-inflammatory in some contexts and anti-inflammatory in others). Explain this.
the response of a cell or tissue to interferons depends on the gene expression of that cell or tissue, specifically the collection of receptors, signal transduction proteins, and effectors expressed
G- protein
a family of proteins that act as molecular switches inside cells, and are involved in transmitting signals from a variety of stimuli outside a cell to its interior.
Paracrine
relating to or denoting a hormone that has effect only in the vicinity of the gland secreting it.
Phosphorylation
ATP is also synthesized by substrate-level phosphorylation during glycolysis.