ICPP BROAD NOTES Flashcards
Define a ‘receptor’
A molecule that recognises a ligand and in response to ligand binding regulates a cellular process
Define a ‘ligand’
Any molecules that binds specifically to the receptor site
Distinguish between a reeptor and an acceptor
Receptors are silent at rest and activated by agonist binding, acceptors operate in the absence of a ligand and activity may be modulated by ligand binding
Explain what happens in a ligand gated ion channel using the AchR as an example
AchR is bound by ACh, this opens a pore in the membrane allowing cations to flow through
Explain the activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase
These operate as dimers. Agonist binds one part, receptor is activated and dimerises, catalytic domains come together and phosphorylate their partner is a process called ‘autophosphorylation’ -> this then activates a signalling cascade
Explain the activation of GPCR’s using adrenaline as an example
Adrenaline binds the EC domain -> agonist binding causes the internally bound G protein to swap A GDP for a GTP -> this causes the apha subunit to dissociate and activate the enzyme adenyl cyclase which when converts ATP to cAMP - a second messenger
Describe the structure of a GPCR
7 TMD’s, an internally bound G protein, EC N terminus, IC C terminus
Describe the actiation of intracellular receptors
Receptor contains a DNA binding domain which is held in it’s silent form, upon ligand binding disinhibition occurs and the domain binds to regulate gene transcription
Give three functions of a biological membrane
Provide a barrier/maintian control of closed environment/allow communication/recognition of signalling molecules
What is the most abundant component of the DRY weight of a cell membrane?
proteins
What are the four motions of phospholipids in a bilayer?
Flexion/rotation/flip-flop/lateral diffusion
Why are cis unstaturated double bonds inessential fatty acids so important in our diet?
They make a kink in the phospholipids in membrane bilayers and thus reduce packing thus increasing the fluidity of the membrane
What is the function of cholesterol in biological membranes?
Maintain fluidity by
- Formation of H bonds
1) Reduces phospholipid chain motion thus reducing fluidity at high temps
2) at low temps reduces packing thus increasing fluidity
we have to have some cholesterol in our diet, not enough is made internally to be sufficient
What are the three movemetns of proteins within the bilayer?
Rotation/lateral/conformational change
Give two ways in which protein movement is restricted
Proteins are segregated into fluid ‘cholesterol poor’ regions/Association with other membrane proteins/Associating with extra-membrane proteins like the cytoskeleton
Distinguish between peripheral and integral membrane proteins
Peripheral proteins are bound to the surface and bound via electrostatic interactions and H bonding, they are removed by manipulation of pH or ionic strength
Integral proteins interact with the central hydrophobic domains of the bilayer. They cannot be removed by manipulation of pH or ionic strength but are removed by detergents
Give some cytoskeletal proteins
Spectrin/ankyrin/band 3/protein 4.1
What GPCR’s do analgesics binds to?
Mu opioid receptors
Hw are G protein pathways turned off?
The alpha subunit has GTPase activity which subsequently hydrolyses the bound GTP for GDP again affter a few seconds.
The effect protein in Gas and Gai phatways is adenyl cyclase, what is it in Gaq pathway?
phospholipase C
How do pertussis toxin and cholera toxin work?
Pertussis toxin - corrupts Gai subunits so that they can’t release GDP -> pathway can’t be turned on
Cholera toxin prevents GTPase activity on Gas pathway -> pathway can’t be turned off -> diarrhoea via over working CFTR channel
Give three functions of calcium signalling
muscle contraction/neurotransmission/metabolism regulation
Name two transporters that keep IC calcium low
PMCA (ATP out the cell)
SERCA (ATP in to sarcoplasmic stores)
NCX (Sodium calcium exchanger 1:1)
Mitochondrial Calcium uniporters
Mu opioid receptors are G_ linked
i
In inotropy of the heart A Gs pathway causes activation of cAMP which activates ____ which then phosphorykates VOCC’s causing CICR
PKA
TBW is ___% of the total body weight
60%
What does flux describe?
Rate of flow
Describe a hypertonic and a hypotonic solution
Hypertonic solution - there is a greater concentration of solute in the cell than solution
Hypotonic solution - there is a greater concentratino of solute outside the cell in solution that in the cell
List some functions of the Na/K ATPase
Main - Creates gradients that drive secondary transport (such as those controlling IC pH, cell volume, IC calcium, nutrient uptake)
Minor - minor contribution to the resting membrane potential
Why does IC calcium need to be kept low
High levels are toxic and will calcify the cell because of the high levels of intracellular phosphate