Theme 3 : Molecular cell biology Flashcards
What are Transporters? Give an example
Na+ pumps actively pumping Na+ out of cells and K+ in
What are Anchors? Give an example
Example: Integrins
They link intercellular actin filaments to extracellular matrix proteins
Give an exampleof a receptor
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor, binds to PDGF and generates intracellular signals that cause the cell to grow and divide
Give an example of an enzyme incorporated in a membrane
Adenylyl cyclase catalyses the production of cyclic AMP in response to extracellular signals
What does Inhalation of hydrogen cyanide or ingestion of potassium cyanide do?
inhibits the mitochondrial electron transport chain at the cytochrome oxidase step.
Is one of the most potent and rapidly acting poisons known.
What are Mitochondrial myopathies and what is it caused by?
A genetic disorder caused by = Point mutations in genes encoding the mitochondrial tRNA lysine.
This causes myoclonic epilepsy and ragged fibers
Skeletal muscles contain abnormally shaped mitochondria and have decreased cytochrome oxidase activity.
What are Peroxisomes? And what do they do?
Small cytoplasmic vesicles and has a contained environment for reactive H2O2 generation
The main function of the oxidation reactions is the breakdown of fatty acids
Detoxify toxic substances such as ethanol (via catalase)
Cytosol
Contains many metabolic pathways
Intermediate filaments
Part of the cytoskeleton
Lysosomes
Intracellular degradation
What do Endosomes do?
sorting of endocytosed material (the material to be internalised is surrounded by an area of plasma membrane, which then buds off inside the cell to form a vesicle containing the ingested material.)
Functions of the cytoskeleton (5 things)
Pulls the chromosomes apart during mitosis
Drives and guides the intracellular traffic of organelles, proteins, and RNA
Supports the plasma membrane
Enables some cells to move
Controls cell shape
What are the 3 major components of the cytoskeleton?
Intermediate filaments, microtubules, actin filaments
Actin filaments
Polymers of actin monomers
Necessary for movement
Can form contractile bundles and microvilli
May associate with myosin to form powerful contractile structures
Carry cargo-bearing motor proteins (e.g. myosin)
Intermediate filaments
10 nm diameter filaments
Made of a family of fibrous proteins
Twisted into ropes and provide tensile strength
Needed to maintain cell shape
4 types
What fibrous proteins are intermediate filaments made out of?
keratin filaments in epithelial cells
vimentin in many other cells
neurofilament proteins in neurones
lamins within the nucleus
Microtubules
20 nm diameter
Polymers of tubulin dimers
Organised from structures such as the centrosome
Form the spindle in mitosis
Important in cell shape and movement
Carry cargo-bearing motor proteins
describe dynein
0.2- 60 micrometers/sec on the left direction of microtubules - minus end
kinesin
(0.02-2microm/sec) to right direction - plus end
What happens when a stem cell divides
Stem cell detaches its receptor from the ligand of a niche (stromal cell) and commits terminal differentiation or die
Where are adult stem cells made in the gut? Explain how?
Crypt on the Lumen of the gut. Moves up the crypt. Slow dividing stem cells (more than 24 hours). Then rapid
Where are adult stem cells made in the skin? Explain how?
Between the lining of the dermis and epidermis
Advantages of IPS
Cells taken from patient should not elicit immune response
Fewer ethical issues
Theoretically, any cell type could be replaced
Disadvantages of IPS
More basic research needs to be done on developmental pathways
Transplanted stem cells could develop into cancer cells