S6 - Receptors Flashcards
What is paracrine signalling?
Secreted molecules (local mediators) acting on local cells/tissues
What is endocrine signalling?
Secreted molecules (hormones) acting on distant cells/tissues (travel through blood stream)
What is synaptic signalling?
Secreted molecules (neurotransmitters) acting across a synapse in the nervous system
What are the two types of intercellular signalling?
- Signalling by secreted molecules
2. Signalling by plasma membrane bound molecules
Where can you find receptors in a cell?
- On the cell surface
2. Inside the cell (intracellular)
What is a receptor?
A molecule that recognises specifically a second molecule (ligand)/family of molecules and binding of the ligand results in regulation of cellular processes.
What is a receptor in the unbound state described as?
Functionally silent
What is a ligand?
A molecule that binds specifically to a receptor site - agonist or antagonist
What is an agonist?
What is an antagonist?
Agonist - activates receptor/channel
Antagonist - prevents activation of receptor/block channel
Give some roles of receptors in cells.
- Neurotransmission
- Control of gene expression
- Cell adhesion
- Regulation of immune responses
- Release of intracellular calcium and proteins
Which has a higher affinity, ligand to receptor or substrate to enzyme?
Ligand to receptor
What are the two ACh receptor types?
Nicotinic and muscarinic (M1, M2, M3)
What are the four ways of signal transduction?
- Membrane-bound receptors with integral ion channels
- Membrane-bound receptors with integral enzyme activity
- Membrane-bound receptors which couple to effectors through transducing proteins
- Intracellular receptors
How many subunits make up a ACh receptor?
5
Describe the structure of membrane-bound receptors with integral enzyme activity?
A binding domain outside the cell and a catalytic domain inside the cell