Kaplan Ch 5: Endocrine Flashcards
peptide hormones
- hydrophilic (can not pass through the plasma membrane and must bind to surface receptors)
- first messenger
- all peptide hormones are derived from larger precursor polypeptides that are cleaved during post-translational modification, sent to golgi for more modification, and released by exocytosis
- rapid, short lived effects
- are water soluble allowing them to travel freely in the bloodstream without a carrier
Mechanism of activation of a G-protein coupled receptor
- An extracellular signal binds to the GPCR 2. The receptor undergoes a conformational change, allowing it to bind to a G-protein 3. Receptor acts like a GEF, inducing the α subunit to release GDP. GTP will quickly take its place 4. Conformational change in α subunit causing it to dissociate from the receptor and the ß/γ complex
How is cAMP made?
- Signal activates GPCR 2. GPCR activates stimulatory G-proteins which activate adenylate (adenylyl) cyclase 3. Activated adenylyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP

How is cAMP destroyed?
cAMP phosphodiesterase
Main use of cAMP?
cAMP is a second messanger used mainly on protein kinase A. PKA is used to modify enzymes and transcription factors by phosphorylation allowing it to act quickly or slowly on the cell.
Steroid Hormones
- derived from cholesterol
- nonpolar (hydrophobic) and can thus easilly cross the cell membrane (intracellular or intranuclear receptors)
- binding of a steroid hormone to its receptor causes complex conformational changes and allows this complex to bind directly to DNA, increasing or decreasing transcription
- slower, long lived effects
- not water soluble and thus require carrier proteins to travel in bloodstream
are hormones active when bound to carrier proteins?
How do concentrations of carriers affect hormone function?
no, they must dissociate in order to become active
increased levels of protein carriers cause less free hormone to be available and the body perceives lower levels of the hormone
Amino Acid derived hormones (examples)
epi
norepi
triiodothyronine
thyroxine
catecholamines
epi and norepi
bind to GPCR
general endings of peptide and amin acid derived hormones
-in or -ine
general endings of steroid hormones
-one, -ol, -oid
direct hormones
act directly upon the body to cause physiological changes
tropic hormones
hormones that stimulate the production of other hormones by other endocrine glands that will act on taget tissues
hypophyseal portal system
conect the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. Allows for direct communication via tropic hormones and prevents noticable concentrations of these hormones from being present in the systemic circuit
GnRH from the hypothalamus causes what hormone to be released from the anterior pituitary?
FSH and LH
GHRH from the hypothalamus causes what hormone to be released from the anterior pituitary?
GH
thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus causes what hormone to be released from the anterior pituitary?
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) from the hypothalamus causes what hormone to be released from the anterior pituitary?
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Dopamine from the hypothalamus causes what hormone to be released from the anterior pituitary?
dopamine or prolactin inhibiting factor causes a DECREASE in prolactin secretion
what hormones are released from the posterior pituitary and how is their release controlled?
Oxytocin and ADH or vasopressin are released from the posterior pituitary when neurons in the hypothalamus that extend into the posterior pituitary fire
oxytocin
stimulates uterine contractions during labor (+ feedback loop), milk letdown during lactation, bonding behavior
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH or Vasopressin)
increases reabsorption of water in the collecting ducts of the kidneys in response to increased plasma osmolarity
Products of the anterior pituitary
FLAT PEG (FLAT are tropic, PEG are direct)
FSH
LH
ACTH
TSH
Prolactin
Endorphins
GH
Effect of FSH and LH on the body
stim by GnRH from the hypothalamus
act on the testes and the ovaries to release testosterone and estrogen/progesterone respectively
negative feedback to FSH/LH and GnRH
