Signals And Their Receptors Flashcards
What are the different classifications of signalling molecule?
Endogenous-within the body
Exogenous 1-natural plant based
Exogenous 2-synthetic man made
What actually is pharmacology?
The study of molecular signallers regulating physiological processes
What do cells need in order to maintain a stable optimised environment?
Substrate supply system
Product distribution system
Waste removal system
This allows a controlled physiochemical environment for reactions to occur and responsive control systems that can adjust according to demand
What are the different parts of a negative feedback loop?
Environmental change-sensor-system set point comparator-controller-effector-correction signal
What does synergistically and antagonistically mean?
Synergistically-turns on a process eg. Sweating
Antagonistically-turns off a process eg insulin decreases amount of blood glucose
Why is our temperature 37 degrees?
Proteins engineered by evolution- just right for homeothermic as most proteins operate optimally at this temp
Reduces rate of thermal degradation and denaturation
What is the control centre for temperature regulation?
The hypothalamus
What happens above 40 degrees body temperature?
Febrile convulsions, coma and loss of temperature regulation at 42 degrees
What is the normal resting range for body temperature?
36-38 degrees
What temperature is recognised as mild hyperthermia?
38-40 degrees
What temperature is recognised as mild hypothermia?
34-36 degrees
What happens to the body below 34 degrees?
Impaired temperature regulation
Cardiac fibrillation
What are the 3 major types of signalling molecules in the endocrine system and what are their properties?
Hydrophilic 1-amines and amino acid derivatives, these are small charged and hydrophilic. Their receptors are in the plasma membrane. Very short time course of action. Causes change in membrane potential and triggers synthesis of cytosolic second messengers
Hydrophilic 2-peptides to proteins. Receptors in plasma membrane. Minutes to hours time course of action. Triggers synthesis of cytosolic second messengers. Triggers protein kinase activity
Lipophilic-commonly derived from cholesterol
Intracellular receptors. Hours to days time period. Receptor hormone complex controls transcription and stability of mRNA.
What are the major classifications of neurotransmitters?
Amino acids, monoamines, peptides. Ach (excitatory at end organ)
Can be excitatory or inhibitory
All are examples of paracrine signalling molecules
What are some examples of local chemical mediators?
Cytokines (interleukins, chemolines, interferons, histamine)
Eicosanoids (prostaglandins, leukotrienes)
Also bradykinin, nitric oxide, neuropeptides, platelet activating factors
Local response is rapid focussed and integrated. Not needing to involve whole body resource.
What kind of signalling molecule would growth factor signals be?
Autocrine
What is important to remember about using aexogenous signalling molecules?
Engineered by humans to carry and transfer the imposter signal
Signal still carried but fit may be suboptimal
Side effects possible
What are the four types of signalling molecule targets?
Receptors
Ion channels
Transporters
Enzymes
Except for chemotherapy where target is structural protein or DNA
Distinction is when aiming to selectively kill another organism
What are the different types of receptors?
Kinase linked receptors
Ligand gated ion channels
Nuclear/intracellular
G protein coupled receptors (GPCR’s)
What are kinase linked receptors?
Mediate signals of wide variety of protein molecules eg growth factors, cytokines, hormones
Act via phosphorylation of specific groups which sets into motion signalling cascade
Can be thought of as molecular switch leading to gene transcription
What do ligand gated ion channels do?
When ligand binds gate opens- eg Ach, GABA NMDA
Allow ion currents and voltage change driving or modulating action potential generation in neurones and contraction in muscle
Coupled to Ca2+ signalling
What do nuclear receptors do?
Ligands need ot be lipid soluble (steroids)
When bound ligand receptor complex migrates to nucleus then binds to gene transcription factor
This then activates or inactivated a gene
Examples are thyroid hormone, vit D or xenobiotics
What do ion channels do?
Selectively allow ion current to flow across PM
Na, K, Ca, Cl
Regulate voltage signals in excitable cells to maintain membrane potential
Each ion channel family has a range of members variation in structure and function
What is the distribution of the four main cellular ions across the membrane ?
More potassium on inside, more sodium, calcium and chloride on outside
How are ion channels regulated?
Change in electric field density- this first depends on LGIC current activation
Channel activity can be facilitated or inhibited by phosphorylation of intracellular sites on channels via GPCR- PKA and PKC activation
Activity can also be endogenous allosterically modulated by intracellular signalling molecules- ATP, GTP and ca2+ and signalling proteins
Exogenous channel blockers
What is an agonist molecule?
Binds to a receptor and activates it,
Antagonists bind to a receptor and do not activate it (block the effects of agonists)