Signal Transduction Flashcards
which hormones pass through plasma membrane to intracellular receptors?
steroid hormones
another name for growth factors, function
mitogens, induce cellular proliferation and activate mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades
what is GDF-8?
myostatin (growth and differentiation factor), inhibits muscle growth a disruption would result in substantial increase in muscle mass
what is TGFbeta?
superfamily of transforming growth factor beta
what factors are considered TGF
bone morphogenetic proteins transforming growth factor beta glial derived neurotrophic factors growth and differentiation factors
4 examples of extracellular signaling molecules?
hormones survival factors growth factors/mitogens death signals
how does death signaling work?
FasL (ligand) on a T cell binds to Fas receptors induces apoptosis in Fas receptor expressing cell (there needs to be physical contact between cell receiving and giving signal)
what is the general reasoning for signal transduction?
detect, amplify and integrate external signals to generate responses such as changes in enzyme activity, gene expression or ion channel activity
steps of signal transduction
- stimulus induces a secretory cell to release a signaling molecule 2. the signaling molecule binds to its receptor on the target cell’s plasma membrane 3. binding of signaling molecule to its receptor initiates signaling cascade inside cell 4. signaling cascade induces a specific response in the cell
types of extracellular signaling
endocrine, paracrine
what are intracellular/nuclear receptors
receptors found in the cytoplasm/nucleus of the cell that respond to membrane-soluble ligands
4 major families of cell surface receptors
- ligand gated ion channel receptors 2. g protein coupled receptors 3. enzyme coupled receptors 4. cytokine receptors
where are ligand gated ion channel receptors usually found?
electrically excited cells like neurons and muscle cells
how do ions flow in ligand gated ion channel receptors?
enter or exit along their electrochemical gradients in a very fast response (miliseconds)
2 examples of ligand gated ion channel
GABA receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors
what type of receptor is a GABA receptor
ligand gated ion channel receptor
what is GABA
gamma amino butyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter
what does binding of specifically GABAa to GABAa receptors do?
opens Cl channel, allowing for influx of Cl- and resulting in hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, preventing neuron from firing
what to GABA receptor agonists do?
directly bind to GABA binding site, produce sedative effects
what are PAMs
GABA receptor positive allosteric modulators, enhance GABA-dependent activity of the receptor by holding them open longer
example of PAMs
alcohol (ethanol) barbiturates benzodiazepines (diazepam)
what receptor is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
ligand gated ion channel receptor
what goes binding of acetylcholine or nicotine do to a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor?
causes conformation change in receptor, resulting in the formation of a pore that allows Na to enter the cell ALLOWS propagation of action potentials is very important in the neuromuscular junction for depolarization and AP (postsynaptic cells)
how are signals terminated at the ligand gated ion channel receptors?
ligand is degraded by proteases (specific digestive enzymes) in the synaptic cleft ex. ACh degraded by acetylcholinesterase



