Protein Secretion and Hormonal Regulation

Flashcards covering key terms related to protein secretion, hormonal regulation, and post-translational modifications discussed in the lecture.

Growth Hormones

Hormones that regulate growth and development in mammals.

Cell Communication

Releasing substances from one cell so that another cell can receive the communication.

Hormones/Pheromones

Chemical signals released between microbes or within a multicellular organism.

Endocrine Glands

Specialized organs that produce and release hormones.

Growth Hormone

A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that regulates growth.

Insulin-like Growth Factor

Regulates overall height by impacting the skeletal system.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that trigger seed germination and growth.

Sex Pheromones

Enable individual cells to recognize each other in terms of sex and facilitate mating.

Signal Sequence

A short protein sequence that allows a protein to be secreted from the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that acts as a sorting place for proteins, modifying and packaging them.

Lysosomes

Vesicles that digest matter brought into the cell using enzymes.

Signal Recognition Particle (SRP)

A particle that recognizes the signal sequence and targets the protein to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Translocation

The movement of a protein into the endoplasmic reticulum during translation.

Chaperonins/Chaperones

Proteins that help other proteins fold correctly.

Post-translational Events

Modifications to proteins after translation, such as cleaving, glycosylation, or phosphorylation.

Proteolysis

Cleaving a chunk of the protein's structure away; a post translational event.

Glycosylation

Adding sugars (carbohydrates) to a protein to modify its function; a post translational event.

Phosphorylation

Adding a phosphate group to a protein; a post translational event.

Ubiquitination

Adding ubiquitin to a protein, often targeting it for degradation; a post-translational event.

Hormone Receptors

Receptor proteins on the cell surface bind to hormones, triggering intracellular signaling pathways.

Endocrine Signal

A signaling molecule that is secreted and acts on distant target cells.

Paracrine Signal

A signaling molecule that acts on nearby cells.

Autocrine Signal

A signaling molecule that acts on the same cell that secreted it.

Juxtacrine Signal

Direct transfer of signals through gap junctions between cells.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)

Enzyme-linked receptors that phosphorylate tyrosine residues on target proteins.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

Receptors that activate G proteins, which then activate downstream signaling pathways.

Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Ion channels that open or close in response to ligand binding.

Second Messengers

Small intracellular signaling molecules that amplify and spread signals.

Kinases

Enzymes that add phosphate groups to proteins.

Phosphatases

Enzymes that remove phosphate groups from proteins.

MAP Kinase Pathway

A series of protein kinases that phosphorylate each other in sequence, amplifying the signal.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that bind to DNA and regulate gene expression in response to signaling pathways.

Signal Transduction

The process by which cells respond to external signals by activating intracellular signaling pathways and effectors.

Desensitization

The decrease in response to a stimulus after prolonged exposure.