Module 3 Flashcards
Functions: Plasma Membrane
- Endocytosis (“Cleanup”)
- Communication With Other Cells/Tissues
- Anchor Cytoskeleton
- Entry/Exit of Cellular Materials
Liposome
A spherical vesicle bounded by a lipid bilayer that contains an aqueous central environment.
Relationship: Saturation vs. Fluidity
Plasma Membranes
- The higher the saturation of a plasma membrane, the less fluidity it possesses.
- The higher the unsaturation of a plasma membrane, the greater fluidity it possesses.
Cholesterol
A small amphipathic molecule composed of a rigid nonpolar ring system connected to a hydroxyl group that is a frequent component of biological membranes.
Effect of Cholesterol on Membrane Fluidity
- Low Amount of Cholesterol: Cholesterol increases membrane fluidity by preventing saturated hydrocarbon chains from close-packing.
- High Amount of Cholesterol: Cholesterol decreases membrane fluidity due to its rigid nonpolar ring structure.
Effect of Cholesterol on Membrane Thickness
- High Proportion of Cholesterol: The plasma membrane thickens due to the high number of rigid cholesterol rings between the phospholipids.
- Low Proportion of Cholesterol: The plasma membrane thins out due to the low number of cholesterol ring structures between the phospholipids.
In what ways are phospholipid molecules able to move within a plasma membane?
- Laterally
- Rotationally
- Transversely
Flippase
A membrane protein that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to catalyze the outside-to-inside “flipping” of membrane phospholipids.
Flippase is a P-Type ATPase protein.
Floppase
A membrane protein that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to catalyze the inside-to-outside “flopping” of membrane phospholipids.
Floppase is an ABC Transporter protein.
Scramblase
A membrane protein that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to catalyze bidirectional transverse movement of membrane phospholipids to achieve equilibrium.
What are the driving forces of spontaneous lipid bilayer assembly?
- Hydrophobic Interactions (Entropic Forces)
- Van Der Waals Forces (Packing of Hydrocarbon Chains)
- Electrostatic Interactions + Hydrogen Bonding
Endomembrane System
The intracellular network of plasma membranes that is used to transport materials throughout the cytoplasm via vesicles.
Glycerophospholipid
A membrane lipid composed of two fatty acid chains, a glycerol molecule, a phosphate group, and a polar head group.
Glycerophospholipids are the most abundant type of eukaryotic membrane lipids.
Sphingolipid
A membrane lipid composed of a sphingosine molecule bound to a single fatty acid chain and a polar head region.
Three Major Types of Membrane Lipids
- Glycerophospholipids
- Sphingolipids
- Cholesterol
Types of Glycerophospholipids
Eukaryotes
- Phosphatidylcholine
- Phosphatidylethanolamine
- Phosphotidylserine
- Phosphotidylinositol
Types of Sphingolipids
- Sphingophospholipids
- Sphingoglycolipids
Sphingophospholipid
A type of sphingolipid containining one sphingosine chain, one fatty acid chain, and a (polar head group)-linked phosphate group.
Ex: Sphingomyelin
Types of Sphingoglycolipids
- Cerebrosides: Contain a glucose/galactose bound to the terminal —OH group.
- Gangliosides: Contain an oligosaccharide/polysaccharide bound to the terminal —OH group.
Sphingoglycolipid
A types of sphingolipid containining one sphingosine chain, one fatty acid chain, and a saccharide glycan moiety.
What proportion of plasma membrane lipids are cholesterol?
25%–40%
What is the lipid and protein compositions of most plasma membranes?
- Protein: ~50%
- Lipid: ~50%
Fluid Mosaic Model
A model of cell membrane organization proposing that the membrane is a two-dimensional solution in which membrane proteins can freely move laterally and transversely through the bilayer.
It has since been shown that the Fluid Mosaic Model is an overly simplistic view of eukaryotic cell membrane organization.
Phosphatidate
The simplest type of glycerophospholipid that consists of a glycerol linked to two fatty acid chains and a (polar head group)-linked phosphate group.
Phosphatidate serves as the precursor for many of the common types of glycerophospholipids.
Phospholipases
Enzymes that cleave glycerophospholipid fatty acid chains by catalyzing hydrolytic reactions.
Sphingosine
A long-chain amino alcohol synthesize from palmitate and serine.
Sphingolipids are derived from sphingosine.
Ceramide
A sphingosine molecule covalently linked to a fatty acid chain that serves as the precursor for sphingophospholipids and sphingoglycolipids.
- Sphingophospholipid: Phosphocholine + Ceramide
- Cerebroside: Monoglycosylated Ceramide
- Ganglioside: Oligoglycosylated Ceramide
Which type of membrane lipid is distributed equally across the inner/outer membrane monolayers?
Cholesterol
What type(s) of membrane proteins are involved in active transport processes?
Carrier Proteins
What type(s) of membrane proteins are involved in passive transport processes?
- Channel Proteins
- Carrier Proteins
Rate: Channel Proteins vs. Carrier Proteins
- Channel Proteins: Slower than Diffusion
- Carrier Proteins: Comparable to Diffusion
Selectivity: Channel Proteins vs. Carrier Proteins
- Channel Proteins: Semiselective
- Carrier Proteins: Highly Selective
Which type of membrane transport protein can become saturated?
Carrier proteins can become saturated at high substrate/ligand concentrations (due to their slow rate of biomolecule translocation).
Channel proteins do NOT usually become saturated with substrate, so their rate of biomolecule translocation increases with increasing [substrate].
Equation: Free Energy Change of Membrane Transport
- R: Gas Constant
- T: Temperature
- C2: End-Point Concentration
- C1: Start-Point Concentration
- Z: Charge of Solute Molecule
- F: Faraday Constant
- V: Membrane Potential
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
An organelle within muscle fibers used to store Ca2+ ions that will be released during muscular contraction.
Porin
A passive membrane transport channel protein that possesses a β-barrel structural motif and is organized as a homotrimer.
- Porins are abundant in the outer membranes of bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
- Porins are permeable to ions and small molecules.
Structure: Porins
- Nonpolar amino acid residues face outward toward the hydrophobic region of the cell membrane.
- Polar/charged amino acid residues face inward and interact with the polar/charged molecules being transported.
Selectivity: Porins
Porins can be either relatively nonselective or highly selective (depending on the inner diameter of the channel and the chemical properties of the channel’s amino acid side chains).
Non-Selective Porins
Nonspecific porin molecules that allow for molecular passage solely according to the size of the transported molecule.
The inner diameter size of non-selective porins is determined by the number of β-strands the channel consists of.
Selective Porins
Highly specific porin molecules that permit molecular passage based on the chemical characteristics of the transported molecule.
The chemical proporties of the porin’s inner-facing hydrophilic amino acid side chains determine the channel’s specificity for particular molecules.
Selectivity Channel
A narrow opening within the interior of a channel protein complex that allows only certain ions to pass through the membrane in different conditions.
How does the selectivity channel of the K+ Channel Protein distinguish between K+ ions and Na+ ions?
The carbonyl Oxygen atoms within the selectivity channel are positioned such that they provide a favorable desolvation energy for K+ ions (and not for Na+ ions).
Na+ ions do NOT pass through the selectivity channel because their slightly smaller ionic radii cause the transition between Na+-H2O interactions and Na+-Oxygencarbonyl interactions to be unfavorable.
Aquaporin
Passive membrane transport protein responsible for transporting water molecules across the cell membrane.
Structure: Aquaporins
- Each aquaporin monomer is comprised of 6 transmembrane α-helices.
- An aquaporin protein complex is tetrameric (i.e. consists of 4 monomers).
What determines the selectivity of aquaporin proteins?
Two short α-helices protrude into the aquaporin’s channel to create a constriction point that narrows the channel opening such that only a single H2O molecule can pass through.
The Asn residues at the α-helix N-terminals aid in the aquaporin’s selectivity by forming hydrogen bonds with H2O molecules.
Primary Active Transporter
An active transport protein that uses the hydrolysis of ATP to drive molecules across membranes against their concentration gradient.
Primary active transporters typically undergo significant conformational changes (powered by ATP hydrolysis) to transport molecules across membranes.
Main Types of Primary Active Transporters
- P-Type (Phosphorylated-Type) Transporters
- ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters
P-Type Transporter
A primary active membrane transport protein that hydrolyzes ATP and become phosphorylated to drive large conformational changes and pump molecules across the membrane.
ABC Transporters
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
A primary active membrane transport protein that hydrolyzes ATP (without becoming become phosphorylated) to drive large conformational changes and pump molecules across the membrane.
ABC Transporter conformational changes include the conversion from an outward-facing transporter to an inward-facing transporter.
Secondary Active Transporter
An active transport protein that drives molecules across membranes against their concentration gradient by using energy from the co-transport of another molecule down its concentration gradient.
The co-transport mechanism (of a secondary active transporter) is typically coupled to an ATP-dependent primary active transport mechanism to establish a concentration gradient.
Antiporter
A secondary active membrane transport proteins that moves molecules across a membrane in opposite directions.
Symporter
A secondary active membrane transport proteins that moves molecules across a membrane in the same direction.
H+–K+ ATPase
A P-type primary active transporter responsible for pumping H+ ions into the stomach to lower the pH of gastric juices.
The H+–K+ ATPase uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to exchange H+ ions and K+ ions across the cell membrane.
Na+–K+ ATPase
A P-type primary active transporter responsible for maintaining a Na+ ion gradient across cell membranes.
- The Na+–K+ ATPase uses phosphoryl transfer energy from ATP hydrolysis to drive large protein confirmational changes that facilitate ion transport.
- The Na+–K+ ATPase exports 3 Na+ ions and imports 2 K+ ions.
Structural Domains: Na+–K+ ATPase
- M: Transmembrane Domain
- A: Regulatory Domain
- P: Phosphoryl Domain
- N: ATP-Binding Domain
Structural Domains: SERCA
- M: Transmembrane Domain
- A: Regulatory Domain
- P: Phosphoryl Domain
- N: ATP-Binding Domain
SERCA transporters and Na+–K+ ATPases consist of the same general domain structures.
Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+–ATPase
SERCA
A P-type primary active transporter responsible for transporting Ca2+ ions from the sarcoplasm to the sarcoplasmic reticulum to promote muscle relaxation.
Mechanism: SERCA
- Phosphorylation of Phospholamban by PKA and CaMKII causes its dissociation from SERCA.
- Dissocation leads to a SERCA conformational change that allows it to uptake/bind Ca2+ from the sarcoplasm.
- ATP hydrolysis (and subsequent dissocation of ADP) by SERCA opens up a lumen-side channel that enables the **release of Ca2+ into the SR**.
ATP-binding to SERCA (and subsequent release of inorganic phosphate) returns the protein channel to its resting-state conformation in complex with Phospholamban.
Detailed Mechanism: Ca2+ Transport via SERCA
- E2-ATP releases 2 H+ ions into the sarcoplasm
- E2-ATP traps 2 Ca2+ ions within its M-Domain (betweent the M2 and M3 subdomains) binding pocket.
- Asp351 is phosphoylated (resulting form ATP hydrolysis) to generate Ca2+-E1-P-ADP.
- ADP dissociates from Ca2+-E1-ADP to generate E2P.
- M2 moves away from M3 to create an opening toward the SR lumen that allows Ca2+ to exit E2P’s M-Domain binding pocket.
- 2 H+ ions enter E2P’s M-Domain binding pocket.
- ATP binds to E2P’s N-Domain to generate E2P-ATP.
- Asp351 is dephosphorylated to regenerate E2-ATP and create an opening into the sarcoplasm.
4 Conformations: SERCA-Facilitated Ca2+ Transport
- E2-ATP
- Ca2+-E1-P-ADP
- E2P
- E2P-ATP
4 Steps: SERCA-Facilitated Ca2+ Transport
- When in the E2-ATP conformation, SERCA releases 2 H+ ions into the sarcoplasm and traps 2 Ca2+ ions within its M-Domain binding pocket. Phosphorylation of Asp351 via ATP hydrolysis converts E2-ATP to the Ca2+-E1-P-ADP conformation.
- ADP dissociates from SERCA to convert Ca2+-E1-P-ADP conformation to the E2P conformation. The M2 Subdomain separates from the M3 Subdomain to create an SR-side opening that enables Ca2+ to leave the M-Domain binding pocket.
- 2 H+ ions bind to SERCA’s M-Domain binding pocket. ATP binds to SERCA to convert E2P to the E2P-ATP conformation. The M2 Subdomain rejoins with M3 to seal the binding pocket.
- Asp351 is dephosphorylated to convert E2P-ATP to the E2-ATP conformation, which possesses an opening toward the sarcoplasm.
Permeability Glycoprotein (P-Glycoprotein) Transporter
Multidrug Resistance Protein
An ABC export transport protein responsible for removing toxic compounds from the cell.
Why is the Multidrug Resistance Protein problematic in for cancer treatment?
Cancer cells can become resistant to chemotherapy drugs by increasing the number of Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MRPs) in the cell membrane.
The high quantity of MRPs causes the removal the chemotherapy drug(s) from the cell become they can become effective.
Examples: ABC Transport Proteins
- P-Glycoprotein Transporter
- CFTR Protein
- A. Fulgidus Molybdate Transporter
- E. Coli Maltose Transporter
Aftermath of ATP Hydrolysis: ABC Transporters vs. P-Type Transporters
- P-Type Transporters form a phosphorylated intermediate from minor conformational changes.
- ABC Transporters experience large conformational changes that convert the transporter from outward-facing to inward-facing.
Formation of ATP Catalytic Sites: ABC Transporters vs. P-Type Transporters
- P-Type Transporters do NOT require initial conformational changes to generate the ATP catalytic site.
- ABC Transporters requires an initial conformational change that brings 2 ATP-binding half-sites together to generate the ATP catalytic site.
Structural Domains: ABC Transporters
- Periplasmic Side (of Transmembrane Domain)
- Transmembrane Domain
- Nucleotide-Binding Domain
- The periplasmic side (of the transmembrane domain) contains binding sites for periplasmic substrate carrier proteins.
- The nucleotide-binding domains serve as the ATP catalytic sites.
Mechanism: Metabolite Import via ABC Transporters
- A periplasmic substrate carrier protein binds to the periplasmic side of the ABC Transporter transmembrane domain.
- The ABC Transporter undergoes a conformational change that exposes an internal substrate-binding site (that the substrate enters) and brings the nucleotide-binding domains together (to form 2 ATP-binding sites).
- The ABC Transporter hydrolyzes ATP to cause another conformational change that opens the substrate-binding site to the cytoplasm (for the substrate to exit).
- ATP replaces ADP + Pi within the nucleotide-binding domains to regenerate the ABC Transporter resting state.
3 Steps: Metabolite Import via ABC Transporters
- Binding of the periplasmic substrate carrier protein to the ABC Tranporter’s periplasmic side induces a conformational change that exposes the substrate binding site to the periplasm (and allows substrate entry into the ABC Transporter).
- ATP hydrolysis causes another conformational change that exposes the substrate binding site to the cytoplasm (and allows substrate ejection from the ABC Transporter).
- Release of ADP + Pi from the ABC Transporter and subsequent binding of ATP to the ABC Transporter regenerates the resting state conformation.
Why is it critical that ABC Transporters’ substrate-binding sites are accessible to only one side at a time?
ABC Transporters move substrates across the membrane against their concentration gradients, so substrate access must only be possible on the side of low [substrate].
By closing off the substrate-binding pocket to the perisplasmic space (following ATP hydrolysis), the ABC Transporter ensures that the substrate exits into cytoplasm (and prevents substrate equilibration).
How does Secondary Active Transport indirectly use energy generated by ATP hydrolysis?
Secondary Active Transporters use the potential energy stored in concentration gradients that were generated by ATP hydrolysis (or redox energy).
Examples: Secondary Active Transporters
- Lactose Permease Symporter
- Na+–I– Symporter
Na+–I– Symporter
A secondary active transport protein in thyroid gland cells that imports Iodide (I–) ions into cells for thyroid hormone synthesis.
The Na+–I– Symporter imports one I– ion into the cell for every two Na+ imported.
What generates the Na+ gradient across thyroid gland cell membranes that is used by the Na+–I– Symporter to import I–?
Na+–K+ ATPase (Primary Active Transporter)
Receptor Protein
A protein that stimulates a cellular repsonse after the binding of a ligand initiates protein structural changes.
Signal Transduction
The biochemical mechanism responsible for transmitting extracellular signals across the plasma membrane and throughout the cell.
Target Protein
An intracellular protein that is modified (either covalantly of noncovalently) as a result of an upstream signal transduction pathway.
Cell Signaling Pathway
A linked set of biochemical reactions that are initiated by ligand-induced receptor protein activation and terminated by measurable cellular responses.
First Messenger
An extracellular ligand that binds to a receptor protein to activate a cell signaling pathway.
Second Messenger
A nonprotein intracellular molecule that transmits, amplifies, and terminates a biochemical signal (via its functional linkage with a signaling protein).
Signaling Protein
A protein that transmits a biochemical signal from a receptor protein to a second messenger or from a second messenger to a target protein.
- Upstream signaling proteins transmit biochemical signals from receptor proteins to second messengers.
- Downstream signaling proteins transmit biochemical signals from second messengers to target proteins.
Insulin
A peptide hormone secreted by pancreatic β cells that regulates blood glucose levels by binding to the insulin receptor and activating pathways that remove glucose from the blood.
Hormone
A biologically active compound released into the circulatory system that binds to hormone receptors within/on target cells.
Hormones are a type of first messenger.
Why are hormones considered a type of first messenger in cell signaling pathways?
Hormones initiate the receptor-activating signal (of a cell signaling pathway) that gives rise to a physiological response.
Examples: First Messengers
- Acetylchloine
- Cortisol
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
- Epinephrine/Adrenaline
- Glucagon
- Insulin
- Testosterone
- Prostaglandins
- β-Estradiol/Estrogen
- Ca2+
- CO2
- NO (Nitric Oxide)
- Amino Acids
- Nucleotides
Nitric Oxide
NO
A first messenger molecule that rapidly diffuses into smooth muscle cells to cause muscle relaxation, vasodilation, and increased blood flow.
How is Nitric Oxide synthesized via Nitric Oxide Synthase?
Nitric Oxide is synthesized as a byproduct of the Arginine-to-Citrulline reaction catalyzed by NO Synthase.