Biology Khanacademy Unit 4: Cell communication and cell cycle

Direct Signaling/Direct Contact Cell-Cell Communication

Communication between cells facilitated by direct contact between them. In this type of signaling the ligands only travel from the environment of the first cell to the other.

A type of signaling used by multicellular organisms.

Paracrine Signaling

Cells communicating with multiple cells in a close proximity without coming into contact with them. Usually this is done by cells releasing molecules that diffuse through the space between the cells communicating.

In this type of signaling multiple signaling molecules are released (in order to communicate with multiple other cells). In addition to this the ligands released move from the releasing cells environment to an intermediate environment before binding to the other cell (and potentially being absorbed into its environment).

A type of signaling used by multicellular organisms.

This type of signaling is especially important during development when nearby cells have to tell each other what to do.

Endocrine Signaling

Communication through the release of hormones that travel through the blood stream and act on distant target cells. All cells get message in this type of signaling but not all cells will respond as some will not have the right proteins to bind to the signaling hormone.

A type of signaling used by multicellular organisms.

Autocrine Signaling

A cell signaling process that allows a cell to signal itself. Ligands are released by the same cell that holds receptors to which the ligands bind.

A type of signaling used by multicellular organisms.

This type of signaling is also important during development to reinforce the identity of cells.

Receptors

Places where communicator molecules bind to on other molecules.

Ligand

Another name for a signaling molecule released by a cell.

Signal Transduction

The process of a ligand binding to a membrane receptor and exhibiting an intracellular response. Upon ligand binding receptor changes conformation and activates intracellular signaling molecules.

Hormones

Signals that are produced in one part of the body and travel generally far away in order to reach targets.

Synaptic Signaling

A type of paracrine signaling in which nerve cells transmit signals.

Quorum Sensing

A form of cell-cell signaling used by unicellular organisms. In this sensing unicellular organisms monitor the density of a population and when this density reaches a threshold level all members change their behaviour or gene expression together. This type of sensing produces and detects autoinducers.

Autoinducers

Signaling molecules continually secreted by bacteria to announce their presence to neighbors (typically of the same species). Each species of bacteria have their own ______ with a matching receptor however some autoinducers can be produced and detected by multiple species of bacteria.

Biofilms

Surface attached communities of bacterial cells that stick to one another and to their substrate (underlying surface).

The picture attached is an example of a ________.

Paracrine Hormones

Hormones that are regionally active, made in one part of the body, and work with a small distance of the site of synthesis.

Autocrine Hormones

Hormones made of at one cell and working on the same cell or cell in very close proximity. Closer proximity than a paracrine hormone.

Endocrine Hormones

Hormones that get into the blood stream and work over a long distance.

Pituitary Gland

Called the master gland. A part of the endocrine system. Makes hormones that work on other organs.

Thyroid Gland

Responsible for metabolism and other functions. Part of the endocrine system. This gland receives instructions from the pituitary gland.

Adrenal Gland

Responsible for adrenaline functions and makes steroid hormones. Receives instructions from pituitary gland.

Pancreas

Responsible for making insulin and glucogon as well as other endocrine hormones. Receives instructions from pituitary gland.

Plasmodesmata

Specialized junctions in a plant cell that allow direct cytoplasmic exchange between 2 cells. These contain a thread of cytoplasm extending through them and an even thinner thread of ER reticulum. They can also selectively dilate to allow passage of certain large molecules.

Vertebrates

Animals which posses a backbone or spinal column.

Gap junctions

Junctions between adjacent animal cells created as a result of 2 connexons, one on each of the cells, connecting. Connexons are themselves made up of 6 connexins.

When these open up in order to allow molecules through, they rearrange their configuration slightly sliding past each other and opening up a channel.

Connexons

Transmembrane integral proteins that connect in order to make gap junctions. These are made up of 6 connexins.

Connexins

Membrane proteins that, with 5 other of the same proteins, combine in order to form connexons that are used to make gap junctions between vertebrate animal cells.

Tight Junctions

Junctions that create watertight seals between adjacent animal cells. At their site these junctions hold adjacent cells tightly against each other by using many individual groups of tight junction proteins called claudins which rearrange themselves in a structural way.

These junctions keep liquid from escaping cells.

Claudins

Tight junction proteins that hold adjacent cells together and that rearrange themselves into a structure allowing them to do so.

Desmosomes

Molecules in animal cells that act as spot welds between adjacent epithelial cells. These are used to keep stretchy things like skin together.

Cadherins

Specialized adhesion proteins which are found on the membranes of 2 cells adjacent and which interact in the space between them, holding the membrane together.

_____ attach to the cytoplasmic plaque which connects to filaments that help anchor the junction.

Cytoplasmic Plaque

A place on which cadherins attach to.

Membrane Receptors

Integral proteins embedded in the cell membrane and that take part in cell communication with outside environment. Many drugs target ___ ____. Different cells have different ____ ____. Each _____ _____ can only bind to a few ranges of liquids.

All ____ ____ are grouped into 3 types: Ligand gated ion channels, G-Protein coupled receptors and enzyme linked receptors.

The image attached outlines what ____ ____ are usually drawn to look like.

Ligand Gated Ion Channels

One of the 3 categories of membrane receptors. These are cell surface receptors that open (creating a channel) whenever a ligand binds to the channel. This allows ions to flow down their concentration gradient.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors/7 Transmembrane receptors

One of the 3 categories of membrane receptors. These are a large family of cell surface receptors that share a common structure and method of signaling.

These go through the plasma membrane 7 times hence one of their alternate names.

These interact with G proteins and are coupled to them hence on of their other alternate names.

When a ligand binds to these they undergo a conformational change, thus allowing G proteins to exchange a GDP molecule for GTP and thus becoming turned on.

Enzyme Linked Receptors

One of the 3 categories of membrane receptors. These are cell-surface receptors with intracellular domains associated with an enzyme.

Intracellular Receptors

Receptors found inside of the cell (in the cytoplasm or nucleus). In most cases their ligands are small and hydrophobic since they need to cross the plasma membrane.

These receptors cause change directly, i.e. by binding to the DNA and altering transcription themselves.

Cell Surface Receptors

Receptors found in the plasma membrane. These are membrane-anchored proteins and their ligands do not need to cross the plasma membrane.

They have, typically, 3 domains: an extracellular ligand binding one, a hydrophobic domain extending through the membrane, and an intracellular domain which transmits a signal.

G-Proteins

Proteins that bind to nucleotide guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and hydrolyze it to form a nucleotide guanosine diphosphate (GDP). _ ____ attached to GTP is active, while ones bound to GDP are off. Some GPCR’s have already G-proteins bound to them.

These proteins are able to bind to GTP when GPCR (G-Protein Coupled Receptors) are activated via a ligand.

Nucleotide Guanosine Triphosphate - GTP

A molecule that is created by G-Protein coupled receptors from GDP.

Nucleotide Guanosine Diphosphate - GDP

A molecule that is phosphorylated by G-Protein coupled receptors creating GTP.

Heterotrimeric G proteins

G proteins that associate with GPCR’s These hydrolyze GTP into GDP when they are turned on. These are turned on when a conformational change occurs in G Protein Coupled Receptors.

These have 3 substructures. Alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha and Gamma units are lipid bound whereas beta is enclosed by the two.

When GPCR’s bind to a ligand they undergo a conformational change. The alpha unit of these proteins then let go of GDP and bind to GTP and become active. The beta and gamma units make a beta gamma dimer.

Alpha unit then finds a protein to regulate the function of. Most of the time it is the alpha unit which does this but it can also be the beta and gamma dimer created.

The targeted protein then relays the signal.

This process ends when the ligand on the GPCR is unbounded, and a new ____ ____ ____ that is inactive, and has a GDP molecule, binds to the GPCR. The cycle then restarts.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

A class of enzyme-linked receptors found in humans and other species.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling (RTK Signaling)

Process of signaling molecules binding to a pair of nearby receptor tyrosine kinases and the two RTK’s dimerizing, attaching phosphates to each others tyrosines in their intracellular domains, with the new phosphorylated tyrosine transmitting the signal to other molecules in a cell.

Steroid Hormones

Small hydrophobic ligands that can pass through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors in the nucleus or cytoplasm.

These can be primary messengers.

Image attached shows examples of a few of these.

Intracellular signal transduction pathways

The chain of molecules that relay signals inside a cell. Binding of ligands initiates there. Basically ligands bind to receptor which releases ligands that binds to another receptor and so on.

Image attached outlines an example of a ___ ___ __ __

Upstream

Molecules and events that come earlier in the relay chain.

Downstream

Molecules and events that come later in a relay chain.

Phosphorylation

One of the most common tricks through which molecules turn on and off. This reaction is catalyzed by kinases. _____ can both activate or deactivate.

Image attached shows an example of the _____ of ADP.

Second messengers

Small non-protein molecules that pass along a signal initiated by the binding of a ligand to its receptor. Ca2+ is an example. These are secondary and used after the ligand binds to the main receptor.

Hormones that can’t cross the plasma membrane use these messengers.

Phosphatidylinositols

Phospholipids which can be phosphorylated and snipped in half releasing 2 fragments which act as second messengers.

Signal Amplification

The process of a hormone binding to a receptor and setting off a chain reaction producing a lot of a secondary messenger and resulting in less hormone being required to activate the original signal/signal the original hormone that was the target.

Primary Messengers

Messengers that are able to cross the plasma membrane without the need to use secondary messengers.

Gene expression

The process in which information from a gene is used by the cell to produce a functional product.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death. Allows the cell to die in a controlled manner preventing the release of potentially damaging molecules from inside the cell.

Homeostasis

The process by which humans maintain a constant internal temperature, constant blood pressure, and in general regulate their own bodies. The tendency to resist change in order to maintain a stable, relatively constant, internal environment. This can also affect human behaviour.

Negative Feedback Loop

Loops that act to oppose stimuli, or cues, that trigger them. Used in homeostasis to bring values back to set points. The process of these are stimulus→sensor→control→effector.

In general there exist 2 ____ ____ loops for each variable. One to lower it and one to raise it.

Set Points

In the context of homeostasis. A set value at which a certain variable, relating to the body, must stay, i.e. internal temperature has a ____ ____ of 37.0 degrees celcius. These can vary slightly over 24 hours.

Hypothalamus

The region of the brain that maintains a constant temperature of the body, and in general, performs homeostasis/regulates it.

Insulin

A molecule that decreases the concentration of glucose in the blood. Converts glucose into glycogen, a storage molecule in the liver. Released by beta cells in the pancreas.

Picture attached shows a fragment of the molecule.

Glucagon

The opposite of insulin. Increases the concentration of glucose in the blood if one hasn’t eaten in a while. Released by alpha cells in the pancreas.

Picture attached shows a fragment of the molecule.

Positive Feedback Loop

Loop that amplifies a starting signal. Found in the processes that need to be pushed to completion. An example of such loops is in child birth when oxytocin increases uterine contractions.