Overview of Cell Signaling and Signaling Proteins

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cell signaling and signaling proteins, based on the lecture notes provided.

Ligand

A signaling molecule that binds to a receptor.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a signal is converted into a cellular response.

Receptor Protein

A molecule that binds to a ligand and initiates the signaling process.

Epinephrine

A signaling molecule that causes varied responses, including increased heart rate and glycogen breakdown.

Steroid Hormones

Lipid-soluble hormones that can cross cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors.

Intracellular Receptor

Receptors located within the cell that bind to signaling molecules.

Membrane Receptor

Receptors located on the plasma membrane that bind ligands outside the cell.

Protein Kinases

Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups to proteins, modifying their function.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK)

A class of membrane receptors that, when activated, induce a phosphorylation cascade.

Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinases

Cytoplasmic kinases that are part of a signaling cascade influencing cell division.

Proto-oncogenes

Normal genes that can become oncogenes when mutated, potentially leading to cancer.

Tumor-Suppressor Genes

Genes that encode proteins to suppress cell cycle progression and prevent tumor formation.

p53 Gene

A tumor-suppressor gene that monitors DNA integrity and can induce apoptosis in damaged cells.

Co-activators/Co-repressors

Proteins that modulate the activity of hormone receptors and influence gene transcription.