Receptors And Membrane Turnover Flashcards
Define ligand
Any small molecule that binds specifically to a receptor site.
Define receptor
A molecule that recognises specifically a ligand or family of ligands, and in response to the ligand binding, brings about regulation of a cellular process.
What is an agonist
A ligand whose binding produces activation of a receptor.
What is an antagonist?
A ligand whose binding does not cause activation of and blocks a receptor.
Name the three types of chemical signals
Hormones, neurotransmitters, local chemical mediators
Where do the three types of chemical signals work?
Hormones - between cells in different tissues via the circulation
Neurotransmitters - at specialised cell junctions in the nervous system - synapses
Local chemical mediators - between adjacent cells in the same tissue
What is an acceptor?
When the basic function of a molecule can be carried out without the ligand. Its activity may just be modified by the ligand.
List the three ways of signal transduction for hydrophilic molecules
Integral ion channels
Membrane-bound receptors with integral enzyme activity
Membrane-bound receptors with transducing proteins
How do integral ion channels work?
Agonist binds to ligand-gated ion channel
Results in a conformational change and opening of a gated channel
Channel permits the flow of ions down an electrochemical gradient
Describe how membrane-bound receptors with integral enzyme activity work
Agonist binds to extracellular domain of the receptor
Causes a conformational change
Activates an intrinsic enzyme activity contained within the protein structure of the receptor
Structure of classical ligand-gated ion channel family?
Share similar pentameric subunits with four transmembrane domains
Example of classical ligand-gated in channels?
Nicotinic Ach receptors
Example of a non-classical ligand gated ion channel?
Ryanodine receptor (Ca2+)
How do tyrosine-kinase linked receptors work?
Binding of a hormone activates protein kinase activity in cytoplasmic domain of the receptor protein
It autophosphorylates tyrosine residues on that domain
Phosphorylated Tyr residues are recognised by transducing proteins or enzymes containing phosphotyrosine recognition sites
On association, these enzymes are activated allosterically, transducing the message into an intracellular event
Give an example of a tyrosine-kinase linked receptor
Insulin receptor
Describe the structure of membrane bound receptors wth transducing proteins
7 transmembrane domains coupled to effector molecules via a transducing molecule - a GTP-binding regulatory protein
What can the effectors be in a G-protein?
An ion channel
An enzyme eg adenylyl cyclase
What is integrated signalling?
When separate G-protein receptors act simultaneously to both stimulate/inhibit the effector
Give some examples of G-proteins
Muscarinic Ach receptors
Dopamine receptors
5-HT receptors
Light, smell and taste receptors
What are intracellular receptors bound to in their resting state?
Heat shock or chaperone proteins