Cell signalling 3: signalling through receptors I (Prof. Patel) Flashcards
What is the cascade involved in signalling through receptors ?
- An extracellular signalling molecule binds to a receptor protein
- The receptor activates intracellular signalling proteins
- These signalling proteins activate target proteins which can have different effects:
- metabolic enzyme –> altered metabolism
- gene regulatory protein –> altered gene expression
- cytoskeletal protein –> altered cell shape or mvnt
Do hydrophilic signalling molecules bind to cell-surface receptors or intracellular receptors?
Cell-surface receptors.
Only (small) hydrophobic molecules can bind intracelullar receptor, but they need carrier proteins to travel in the extracellular space and cytosol.
What are the 2 most common molecular switches ?
Phosphorylation (kinases/phosphatases) and GTP-binding proteins.
What are the 4 major second messengers ?
cAMP, cGMP, DAG and IP3.
How man GPCRs are there in the genome ?
What does this imply ?
About 800 –> common drug target
What kind of ligands may activate GPCRs ?
- hormones (e.g. AD)
- NTs (e.g. Glu)
- odorants
- photons
However, there are many “orphan” GPCRs.
Why were RJ Lefkowitz and BK Koblika awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2012 ?
“[…] for studies of GPCRs.”
What do GPCRs couple to ?
Heterotrimeric G-proteins.
What downstream response can activated G-proteins elicit ?
- cAMP signalling
- IP3/DAG signalling
- MAPK signalling
- PtdIns 3-kinase signalling
- PLD signalling
- Redox signalling
- Cytoskeletal remodeling
- Ion channel modulation
What do GEFs do ?
They exchange GDP for GTP.
What do GAPs do ?
GAP = G-protein Activated Protein = GTPase-activating factor
GAPs hydrolyze GTP to GDP
What do GRKs (G-protein Receptor Kinases) do ?
GRKs phosphorylate the GPCR after the G-proteins have been activated and released –> prepares for Arrestin binding
What does RGS (Regalator of G-protein Signalling) do ?
It inactivates G-alpha (by promoting its hydrolysis) and G-beta/gamma.
What do Arrestins do ?
Arrestins bind to GPCRs to block further G protein-mediated signaling, target receptors for internalization, and redirect signaling to alternative G protein-independent pathways, such as β-arrestin signaling.
What was the first 2nd messenger discovered ?
Who discovered it ?
cAMP, discovered by EW Sutherland, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1971 “[…] for his discoveries concerning the mechanisms of the action of hormones.”
