Chemical Signalling 1 Flashcards
Describe the general steps of cell communication by extracellular signals
- Synthesis and release of signalling molecule by signalling cell
- Transport of signal to target cell
- Detection of incoming signal by a receptor on target cell/organelle
- Binding of signal to receptor = biological response
- Removal of signal = termination of response
Give three examples of hormones and growth factors
Any from:
Oestradiol Progesterone Growth hormone Nerve growth factor Epidermal growth factor
Give three examples of metabolic regulators
Any from:
Insulin
Glucagon
Adrenaline
Cortisol
Give three examples of neurotransmitter
Any from:
Glutamate Acetylcholine Dopamine GABA Opioids
Give three examples of inflammatory mediators
Prostaglandins
Thromboxanes
Cytokines
What are the four types of signalling molecules?
Hormones/growth factors
Metabolic regulators
Neurotransmitters
Inflammatory mediators
What are the three main types of signalling and what is this classification based on?
Endocrine
Paracrine
Autocrine
Based on distance over which the signals act
What is endocrine signalling?
Secretion of hormones into bloodstream
What type of organs/glands are involved in endocrine signalling?
Endocrine organs/glands
How far are the target cells from site of signalling molecule synthesis in endocrine signalling?
Up to a few metres
What are the steps of endocrine signalling?
- Stimulation of endocrine gland to synthesise and secrete hormone
- Hormone carried in bloodstream to target cells
- Hormone binds to and activates receptor to stimulate a biological response
What is paracrine signalling?
Signalling to adjacent cells
What is an example of paracrine signalling?
Transmission at neuromuscular junctions
How far apart are the cells involved in paracrine signalling?
A few microns/micrometres
What is autocrine signalling?
Signalling back onto the same cell
What is an example of autocrine signalling?
Any from:
Tumour cells
Certain growth factors
Autoreceptors (neurotransmitter release)
What are cell surface receptors?
Integral proteins which bind signalling molecules with high selectivity and high affinity
What are the three major classes of receptors?
Ionotropic
Metabotropic
Catalytic
Give an example of an ionotropic receptor
Nicotinic cholinergic receptor
Ionotropic glutamate receptor
What is another name for ionotropic receptors
Ligand-gated ion channels
What is another term for metabotropic receptors?
7 transmembrane spanning G-protein coupled receptors
Give an example of a metabotropic receptor
Glucagon receptor
Adrenaline receptor
(Beta adrenergic receptors)
What does RTK stand for?
Receptor tyrosine kinase
What kind of receptor is RTK?
Catalytic
Give an example of a catalytic receptor
Insulin receptor
Nerve growth receptor