Biochem Glavy Simple Vocab

Second Messenger

carries the signal from a receptor on the cell surface to the inside of the cell.

Kinase Cascade

chain reaction where one kinase activates another kinase, which activates another kinase, usually by phosphorylation

Phosphorylase

an enzyme that adds an inorganic phosphate to a molecule, usually during the breakdown of a molecule

GTPase

an enzyme that turns GTP —> GDP which turns the signaling protein off

GAPs

helps GTPase turn GTP —> GDP faster, which turns the signaling protein off.

GEFs

helps a signaling protein exchange GDP for GTP, which turns the signaling protein on.

Scaffold Proteins

proteins that hold multiple signaling proteins together in one place, making it easier for them to communicate and pass the signaling along

RTKs (Receptor Tyrosine Kinase)

cell surface receptor that activates itself by adding phosphate groups to tyrosines when a signal binds

IP3 (Inositol triphosphate)

second messenger that causes Ca2+ to be released from the ER

PKA (Protein Kinase A)

an enzyme that is activated by cAMP and phosphorylates (add phosphate) other proteins to cause a cellular response

PKC (Protein kinase C)

an enzyme activated by DAG and Ca2+ that phosphorylates other proteins to cause a cellular response

PI3K

an enzyme that adds a phosphate to a lipid in the cell membrane, helping pass along the signal inside the cell

Adenylyl Cyclase

an enzyme that converts ATP to cAMP

cAMP (cyclic AMP)

secondary messenger that activates PKA

UPR (unfolded protein response)

cells response to misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER

Transcription Factors

proteins that bind to DNA and control whether specific genes are turned on or off

Ca/ Calmodulin

when CA2+ bind to the Calmodulin it activates calmodulin, which then activates other proteins / enzymes to produce a cellular response

CREB

transcription factor that is activated by PKA and helps turn on gene transcription

GLUT4

a glucose transporter that moves glucose into cells, especially muscle and fat cells in response to insulin

ATM

kinase that responds to DNA damage, especially double strand breaks

ATR

kinase that responds to DNA damage, especially problems during DNA replication

GRK (G-Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase)

enzyme that phosphorylates an activated GPCR, which helps turn down the receptors signaling