Lecture One - introduction to cell signalling Flashcards
What is Autocrine regulation?
A cell communication mechanism in which the signalling molecules bind to receptors located on the cell, secreting the signalling molecules which bind to target receptors are on the same cell.
allows cell regulation and positive or negative feedback.
What is the process of somatostatin secretion in the stomach?
Somatostatin is secreted by D cells in the gastric glands
somatostatin binds to receptors - SST2R receptors on the parietal cells to inhibit adenylyl cyclase
the decrease in cAMP results in decreased gastric acid secretion from parietal cells
somatostatin also binds to SST2R receptors on the D cells themselves, resulting in a negative feedback loop and reduced somatostatin secretion.
What is the SST2R receptor?
the somatostatin type 2 receptor
What is cAMP?
cyclic AMP
the second messenger
What is paracrine regulation?
a cell communication mechanism in which the signalling molecules are secreted into the extracellular space and bind to receptors located on the adjacent cells without passing through the circulatory system.
cells are regulating the activity of adjacent cells (cells in close proximity)
what is the action of histamine in the stomach?
histamine is secreted by the enterochromaffin -like cells in the gastric glands in response to stimulation by acetylcholine
histamine binds to H2 receptors with subsequent activation of adenylyl cyclase
the increase in cAMP increases the number of proton pumps, increasing gastric acid secretion from parietal cells.
> increase in gastric acid secretion = decrease in pH.
What is acetylcholine?
part of the parasympathetic nervous system
kickstarts digestion following sympathetic response
what is the synapse?
the space between a pre-synaptic neuron and a post-synaptic neuron.
What is the process of synaptic transmission?
action potential (electrical signal) travels down the axon of the pre-synaptic neuron causing a change in voltage - depolarisation. The action potential reaches voltage-gated Ca2+ channels which are activated by depolarisation, activation changes their conformation and the ion channel pores are opened to allow calcium to flow from a high concentration out of the cell into the cell. Calcium in the cell causes synaptic vesicles which contain a neurotransmitter (signalling molecule) to move towards the synaptic cleft. Calcium binds to microtubules to push the synaptic vesicles to the synaptic cleft. The membrane of the synaptic vesicle merges with the membrane on the pre-synaptic neuron to release neurotransmitter (acetylcholine (ACh)) into the synaptic cleft. ACh binds to post synaptic receptors (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors which are permeable to sodium). Post-synaptic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, binding of ACh causes the core of the ion channel to open allowing sodium (high conc in cleft) to travel down its electrical/concentration gradient into the post-synaptic membrane changing the intracellular sodium concentration and voltage
which triggers an action potential.
How is an action potential achieved?
an action potential is achieved by an increase in voltage.
the electrical signal is initially changed into a chemical signal, which enters the synaptic cleft and then becomes electrical again.
What is a neurotransmitter?
a neurotransmitter is a chemical substance released from a neuron
brings about the transfer of an impulse from one neuron to another neuron
Give examples of common neurotransmitters?
acetylcholine
adrenaline
noradrenaline - NA
dopamine - DA
serotonin - 5-HT
glutamate - Glu
glycine - Gly
𝛾-aminobutyric acid - GABA
which common neurotransmitters are also hormones?
Adrenaline
serotonin
histamine
Why can some neurotransmitters also be hormones?
dependent upon the mode of release
hormones are secreted to the circulatory system by glands
neurotransmitters are secreted due to action potentials
what is endocrine regulation?
a cell communication mechanism in which the signalling molecules are secreted from cells located in secretory glands into the circulatory system
allows for the signalling molecules to travel over a relatively large distance, eventually binding to receptors located on or in cells of a target organ or tissue
what is the hypophyseal portal system?
hormones such as ACTH are secreted from the cells of the pituitary glands into the connected circulatory vasculature
what is ACTH?
adrenocorticotropic hormone
what is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?
stress (stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system)
> cerebral cortex (central nervous system)
> hypothalamus (CRH)
> anterior pituitary (ACTH)
> adrenal cortex (cortisol - steroid hormone)
> target tissue
what occurs due to elevated cortisol levels?
negative feedback on both CRH and ACTH secretion
what is CRH?
corticotropin - releasing hormone
what are the actions of cortisol?
- stimulates gluconeogenesis (formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) in the liver in response to low plasma glucose/ starvation
- protein breakdown & liberation of free fatty acids
- immune system suppression
- facilitated stress response
- maintains blood pressure
what are the four receptor types (superfamilies)?
- ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors)
- G-protein coupled receptors (metabotropic)
- kinase - linked receptors
- nuclear receptors
what is the response time of ligand-gated ion channels?
milliseconds
what is the response time of G-protein couled receptors?
seconds
what is the response time of kinase-linked receptors?
hours
what is the response time of nuclear receptors?
hours