M&R Flashcards
When during development does myelination begin to occur?
Four months into foetal development
What is potency? How can it be measured?
This is a combination of both affinity and efficacy. The number of receptors also governs potency. The EC50 (effective concentration giving 50% of the maximal response)
What is the pK of the drug?
The pH at which half of it is ionised and half not.
What are the two categories of proteins found in the lipid bilayer? (hint: where they are positioned)
Peripheral membrane proteins: bound to the surface of membrane by electrostatic/hydrogen bond interactions
Integral membrane proteins: interact with hydrophobic regions of lipid bilayer
When is a concentration response curve used? Why is it used instead of a dose response curve?
Used in measuring a response in cells/tissues whereas a dose response curve would be used for an entire animal
What is the general composition of membranes when anhydrous?
-60% protein -40% lipid -1-10% carbohydrate
How much calcium is there in the cell and out of the cell?
Intracellular - 50-100nM
Extracellular - 2mM
How is the calcium gradient set up and maintained?
Membrane permeability to calcium controlled by open/closed calcium channels
Expel calcium out across the plasma membrane (via PMCA and NCX)
What type of ion channel accompanies the ryanodine receptor?
Non-classical ligand-gated ion channel
What is phospholipase C (PLC)? What is it activated by?
An enzyme that hydrolyses the membrane phospholipid (PIP2) to IP3+DAG. It is activated by Gq
Describe the uptake of Fe3+ ions by Transferrin as an example of receptor mediated endocytosis.
In the circulation two Fe3+ ions bind to apoptransferrin to form transferrin
Transferrin binds to the transferrin receptor and is internalised the same way as LDL, via the endosome
Upon reaching the acidic endosome, the Fe3+ ions are released from the transferrin which forms apotransferrin again
Complex is sorted in the CURL where the apotransferrin is recycled
Where are phospholipids synthesised?
The endoplasmic reticulum
How can integral membrane proteins be removed from the lipid bilayer?
Only by using detergents that compete for the non-polar interactions in the bilayer CANNOT be removed by changes in pH or ionic strength
What is the main treatment goal when treating asthma? What receptors are targeted?
The treatment goal is to activate β2-adrenoceptors to relax the airways
What does the term amphipathic molecule mean?
Molecules that contain both hydrophillic and hydrophobic parts
Describe the process of extracellular recording? How can it be used to measure conduction velocity?
Electrodes are used to raise the membrane potential to threshold to generate an action potential. By recording changes in potential between the stimulating (Cathode –‘ve) and recording (Anode, +’ve) electrodes along an axon, conduction velocity can be calculated.
Approximately what ratio is there of cholesterol molecules to phospholipid molecules in plasma membranes?
1:1
How is intracellular Ca2+ elevated?
-Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane (VOCC and receptor operated ion channels) -Ca2+ release from ‘rapidly-releasable’ stores (GPCRs and CICRs) -Ca2+ release from ‘non-rapidly releasable’ stores (from mitochondria)
How is bicarbonate reabsorbed by the proximal tubule of the kidney?
The intracellular Na+ is kept low so NHE has enough to pump into the proximal tubule lumen. The H+ in the lumen joins with bicarbonate and brings it back into the cell.
What is the effect of having double bonds in the fatty acid chains of phospholipids?
The ability of the phospholipid to form two-dimensional crystals decreases
Why can an action potential not go backwards on itself?
It is unidirectional as the area that had just fired the AP is refractory
What is the function of SERCA?
A high affinity, low capacity antiport that uses ATP to accumulate Ca2+ into the SR/ER in exchange for H+
Give as many members of the G protein receptor family as you can
-Adenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) receptor -Angiotensin II (AII) receptor -Dopamine receptor -Gamma aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABABR) -Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) -P2y-purinoceptor (ATP) -Substance P receptor
What are the approximate intra and extracellular concentrations of potassium?
Intracellular - 160mM Extracellular - 4.5mM
What do inhibitory postsynaptic potentials do to the membrane?
Render the membrane less electrically excitable
Define the term efficacy in relation to pharmacology
Likelihood of receptor activation
How might peripheral proteins be bound to plasma membranes?
-Electrostatic interactions -H-bond interactions -Disulphide bond interactions
What are the two types of refractory period? What is the difference between them?
-Absolute refractory period - all of the Na+ channels are inactivated (well mostly) -Relative refractory period - Na+ channels are recovering from inactivation, excitability returns to normal as the number of channels in the inactivated state decreases
What is active transport?
The transport of ions or molecules against an unfavourable concentration and or/electrical gradient, requiring energy from the hydrolysis of ATP.
Suggest two drugs which exhibit zero order kinetics.
-Alcohol -Phenytoin
How do local anaesthetics (like procaine) work?
They act by binding to and blocking Na+ channels, stopping action potential generation
What is accommodation?
The process by which an action potential is not created due to a stimulus taking too long to reach the threshold (which is becoming more positive)
What are co-transporters? What are the two types?
Membrane transporters that transport more than one molecule. The two types are symports and antiports
What are LDL molecules made up of?
-Core of cholesterol molecules esterified to fatty acid -Surrounded by a lipid monolayer containing phospholipids, cholesterol and a single protein species, Apoprotein B
The influx of which ions can cause cell swelling?
Influx of Na+, K+ and Cl-
How are bilayers formed?
Formed by Van der Waals forces between the hydrophobic tails
Why can Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis Mode 3 be a model for the development of Type II Diabetes?
This can result in desensitivity as there is less and less receptors present
What three ways can hydrophilic signalling molecules bring about signal transduction?
-Integral ion channels -Integral enzyme activity -Coupling to effectors through transducing proteins
At high temperatures how does cholesterol stabilises the fluidity of the membrane?
Forms H-Bonds with other phospholipids which reduces the chain motion of the membrane lipids which in turn reduces fluidity
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is mainly permeable to which three ions?
-Na+ (this predominates) -K+ -Ca2+
During membrane protein biosynthesis, what releases the arrest of the synthesis?
Interaction of signal recognition particle with the endoplasmic reticulum docking protein releases arrest of biosynthesis.
What are glycolipids?
Lipids with a carbohydrate attached to them
What type of receptors do cells that require cholesterol display? What do they recognise?
Cell surface LDL-receptors that recognise specifically Apoprotein B
What is the main advantage of having a large calcium gradient between intracellular and extracellular space?
Changes in intracellular [Ca2+] occur rapidly with little movement
What are the approximate intra and extracellular concentrations of chlorine?
Intracellular - 3mM Extracellular - 114mM
What should be used if the half life is long and a rapid effect desired?
Loading dose
How could you give a drug to avoid first pass metabolism?
-Parenteral -Rectal -Sublingual
Where are steroid hormone receptors located?
Nucleus
Suggest some of the effects that receptors which stimulate adenlyl cyclase can have?
-Increased Glycogenolysis in the liver -Increased gluconeogenesis in the liver -Increased lipolysis in adipose tissue -Relaxation of a variety of types of smooth muscle -Positive inotropic effect in the heart -Positive chronotropic effect in the heart.
What is a receptor?
A molecule that recognises specifically a second molecule (ligand), or family of molecules and in response to binding brings about the regulation of a cellular process.
What is a ligand?
Any molecule that binds specifically to a receptor site.
What are the three restraints on mobility of proteins in the lipid bilayer?
-Lipid-mediated effects i.e. proteins go where cholesterol isn’t -Membrane protein associations -Association with extra-membranous proteins (peripheral proteins)
What is acid extrusion mediated by in most cells?
Na+-H+-exchange (NHE)
Describe the uptake of occupied insulin receptors.
-Insulin binding induces a conformational change in the receptor that allows it to be recognised by the pit -The endosome, insulin and the receptor are bound when it goes to the lysosome N.B. , insulin receptors only congregate over clathrin coated pits when their agonist is bound
What is hereditary elliptocytosis?
Hereditary condition where the spectrin molecule is unable to form stable heterotetramers - resulting in fragile elliptoid cells
Where are mitochondrial membrane proteins synthesised?
Cytoplasm
Suggest two receptors that are largely recycled after receptor-mediated endocytosis
-Low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor -Transferrin receptor
Describe signal transduction for the receptor tyrosine kinase. (starting from agonist binding)
-Agonist binds -Tyrosine Kinase Linked Receptors autophosphorylate upon ligand binding -Phosphorylated receptor tyrosine residues are recognised either by transducing protein or directly by enzymes containing phosphotyrosine recognition sites (SH2 domains) -On association effector enzymes begin a cascade -Transduction of signal into chemical event
What is the effect of the attachment of integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton?
Restriction of the membrane proteins lateral mobility
What are partial agonists?
Drugs that cannot produce a maximal effect, even with full receptor occupancy.
What are excitatory postsynaptic potentials are responsible for?
Small depolarisation that triggers voltage-sensitive ion channels to fire a full action potential
Give the range of values for cellular resting membrane potentials.
Nerve Cells -50 to -75 mV Smooth Muscle Cells around -50 mV Cardiac/skeletal muscle cells have the largest resting potentials of -80 to -90mV
What is hyperpolarisation?
Cell interior becomes more negative (opening Cl- or K+ channels)
What are prodrugs?
Inactive drug that when given is activated by the liver.
Suggest two receptors that are largely targeted for destruction by lysosomes after receptor-mediated endocytosis
-Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor -Insulin receptors
What molecule holds the ribosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum during synthesis of membrane proteins?
Ribophoryns
What is the equilibrium potential of an ion?
The membrane potential at which the electrical and diffusional forces balance one another and there is no net movement of the ion.
Identify three things that may lead to disease through adventitious uptake into cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis
-Cholera toxin -Diptheria toxin -Membrane-enveloped viruses
In depolarised cardiac sarcolemma what happen to Na+-Ca2+-exchange activity?
Reverses to transport Ca2+ into the cell
How does an integral ion channel function?
Agonist binding to ligand-gated ion channels results in a conformational change and the opening of a gated channel. The channel then permits the flow of ions down an electrochemical gradient.
What does acetylcholine binding to M2 muscarinic receptors lead to? What is the effect?
Inhibits adenylyl cyclase and stimulates K+ channels. This then slows the cardiac pacemaker cells.
Why does opening K+ channels result in a negative chronotropic effect?
Increase plasma membrane permeability to K+ causes hyperpolarisation, slowing the intrinsic firing rate, resulting in a negative chronotropic effect.
What is pinocytosis?
The invagination of the plasma membrane to form a lipid vesicle. This permits the uptake of impermeable extracellular solutes and retrieval of plasma membrane.
Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) may be elicted by opening channels for which two ions?
-Na+ -Ca2+
What is the local circuit theory of propagation?
The depolarisation of a small region of membrane produces transmembrane currents in neighboring regions. As Na+ channels are voltage gated, this opens more channels, causing the propagation of the action potential.
What are the 4 methods of signal transduction via receptors?
-Membrane bound receptors with ion channels -Membrane bound receptor with integral enzyme activity -Membrane bound receptors which couple to effectors by transducing proteins (most common) -Intracellular receptors
In general terms how does a membrane bound receptor with transducing proteins (G-Protein Coupled Receptor) work?
Seven transmembrane domain receptors (7TMDR) couple to effector molecules (ion channels/enzymes). This is done via a transducing molecule, which is a GTP-binding regulatory protein (G-Protein).
What is hereditary spherocytosis? What does condition does it result in?
A hereditary condition where the amount of spectrin production is heavily reduced which results in haemolytic anaemia
During repeated drug administration after how many half lives is the new steady state achieved?
5 half lives
Why can the asymmetry of protein orientation be very important?
Orientation of proteins in biological membranes is important for their function, e.g. receptors must face into the extracellular space to function properly.
How can morphine act to inhibit the release neurotransmitter?
-Morphine stimulates pre-synaptic μ-opiod receptors -This leads to a G protein effect -The βγ subunit heterotrimer interact with VOCCs to reduce Ca2+ entry, thus reducing neurotransmitter release
What is the most common drug used to treat atrial fibrillation? What is its half life?
Digoxin - 36 hour half life
What is the function of PMCA?
An high affinity, low capacity antiport that uses ATP to expel Ca2+ from the cell in exchange for H+
Briefly describe the mechanism of action of a G protein.
-An activated receptor interacts with the the G protein complex -The bound GDP switches to GTP on the alpha subunit -The affinity the sub units have for the receptor and each other decreases and they are released and act as effectors
Suggest three receptors that interact directly with DNA.
-Cortisol receptor -Oestrogen receptor -Thyroid hormone receptor
What is the function of NCX?
A low affinity, high capacity antiport that expels 1x Ca2+ from the cell in exchange for 3x Na+ using the concentration gradient set up Na+/K+-ATPase
What is slow synaptic transmission?
The receptor protein and ion channel are separate proteins, they may be linked by either G-Proteins or intracellular messengers.
Describe the process of phagocytosis.
-Binding of a particle to receptors on the plasma membrane, the cell extends pseudopods that permit further interactions -Membrane invagination/particle internalisation via a ‘membrane zippering’ mechanism -Internalised phagosomes fuse with lysosomes to form phagolysosomes in which the particulate material is degraded
What is capacitance?
The ability to store charge. Therefore, a membrane with a high capacitance will take more current to charge
How are coated vesicles uncoated?
Uncoated in an ATP-dependent process by uncoating proteins