T5: Cell signaling and communication Flashcards
francollini
4 types of signalling
- endocrine: release signals into bloodstream (hormones)
- paracrine: molecule released in intercellular space (now called local mediator) as the 2 cells are relatively close
- neuronal: neurotransmitter released from presynaptic neuron into synaptic cleft
- contact dependent: signal molecule is a membrane bound molecule because the two cells are in contact
general pattern of signal transduction
SRIER:
1. Stimulus
2. receptor
3. intracellular signaling proteins
4. effector proteins
5. response
slow vs rapid responses used in cell signaling
FAST RESPONSE: modulates proteins already present in the cell cytoplasm
SLOW RESPONSE: changes the protein synthesis and regulation of gene expression
Both these responses alter cell cytoplasmic machinery which then changes cell response
General roles of ACh (3)
Muscarinic receptor: G protein
-cardiomyocytes: decreases contraction force and frequency
-salivary glands: induces release of saliva
Nicotinic receptor: Ion channel
-skeletal muscle: opening of Ca channels to increase contraction
types of messenger molecules
- amino acids/derivatives
- steroids
- gases
- eicosanoids
- polypeptides/proteins
Action of lipophilic receptors
CYTOPLASMIC:
-found in their inactive form when there is 0 stimulation
-when the signaling molecule is bound to the ligand domain, the inhibitory protein is detached from the complex
-this allows translocation of the mediator receptor complex from the cytoplasm to nucleus
-binding to the DNA domain in nucleus (promotor region of target genes)
-change in expression (slow response)
role of NO in vasodilation
NO is a small molecule that can diffuse through the plasma membrane, hence follows the lipophilic mechanism of action
-ACh binds to muscarinic receptor on epithelial cell
-This stimulates synthesis of NO from arginine
-NO diffuses out of epithelial cells and into smooth muscle cells
-Binds to the enzyme guanylyl cyclase which produces cGMP from GTP
-this induces the relaxation of the smooth muscle which causes vasodilation
Molecular switches: ways of activating molecules (2)
- Phosphorylation activates the substrate (done by protein kinases). Dephosphorylation switches the molecule off (done by protein phosphatases)
- GDP/GTP switching:
-GDP bound molecules are inactive.
-GDP detaches and swaps to GTP bound to activate.
-GTP is hydrolyzed by the molecule and is inactivated again.
Classes of membrane receptors (3) and description
- Ion channels: binding of signal molecule induces a conformational change which opens the channel and allows ions to move according to their electrochemical gradient.
- G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR): Interact with trimeric G protein complexes to activate downstream action of molecules
- Enzyme-coupled receptors (ECR): activated upon binding to signal molecule due to enzymatic activity in their intracellular portion. Amino acid residues are phosphorylated to cause activation of downstream signaling molecules
Structure of GPCRs
-7 transmembrane domains
-Amino terminal faces the extracellular space and contains ligand binding site
-Carboxyl terminal faces the cytoplasm and interacts with trimetric G protein complex
-intracellular loops joining the 5th and 6th transmembrane domains contain amino acids responsible for the interaction with trimeric G protein complexes
General activation mechanism for GPCR and G protein complex
AT REST: Both GPCR and G complex is inactive (containing 3 subunits: a,b,c joined together)
ACTIVATION:
1. signal binds to ligand domain of GPCR - activates receptor
2. Receptor interacts with trimeric G protein complex
3. GDP bound to the a subunit is replaced to GTP and the trimeric G protein is activated
4. activation causes the a subunit to dissociate from the b/c subunits
5. Induces downstream signaling effects depending on the specific G protein complex used
!!ACTION CAN BE EITHER A OR B/C MEDIATED
- When the signal needs to be stopped, enzymes are desensitized either by kinases of GPCR or b-arrestins
G proteins family one
- Gs A: activates adenylyl cyclase and activates Ca channels
- Golf A: activates adenylyl cyclase in olfactory sensory neurones
G proteins family two
- Gi (inhibitory) A: inhibits adenylyl cyclase
Gi (B/C): activates K channels - Go (B/C): activates K channels and inactivates Ca channels
Go (A and B/C) : activates PLC-b - Gt (transducin) A: activates GMP phosphodiesterase in rods
G proteins family three
Gq (A): activates PLC-b
G proteins family four
G12/13 (A): activates Rho family monomeric GTPases to regulate cytoskeleton