Signal transduction

Question 1

G proteins in the signal transduction pathways

Answer 1

• Basic mechanisms of G protein activation and inactivation. Function of GEF and
  GAP proteins, with 1 example for each.
• The 2 major classes of G proteins, with 2 examples for each.
• Characterization of heterotrimeric G proteins, activation and signal transduction.
• Adenylate cyclase signal transduction pathway: activation and inactivation. cAMP as
  secondary messenger.
• Effect of bacterial toxins on the adenylate cyclase signal transduction pathway.
• The cytosolic tyrosine kinase pathway.

Question 2

Phospholipases in the signal transduction pathways

Answer 2

• Types of phospholipases and the catalyzed reactions
• The phospholipase A2 signal transduction pathway
• The phospholipase C alpha/beta/gamma signal transduction pathway. Secondary
  messengers.
• Calcium as secondary messenger. Classes of calcium-activated proteins and
  examples.

Question 3

Signaling pathways utilizing cGMP as secondary messenger

Answer 3

• Activation of the light sensory signal transduction pathways. (Molecular basics of
  color vision is not required)
• The ANF signalling pathways
• The NO signal transduction pathway

Question 4

Signaling pathways activated by growth factor receptors

Answer 4

• The EGFR-ras-MAPK cascade pathway. Activation of the cyclin D gene.
• The PI3K signal transduction pathway. Signal transduction from the insulin receptor.
  Stabilization of cyclin D.
• The PLC-gamma signal transduction pathway.

Question 5

DNA damage signal transduction pathway: Make sure that you combine the material covered in the Signal II AND Cell cycle/apoptosis lectures!

Answer 5

• Types of DNA damage. Sensor proteins.
• Role of DNS PK, ATM, ATR proteins
• Role of c-abl, CHK1/2, cdc25 proteins
• Molecular mechanism of p53 activation. Cell cycle checkpoints “sensing” DNA
  damage.
• Functions and characteristics of p53. Functions of the DNA binding domain.