Cell Communication per Parrott
Cell communication processes share common features that reflect a shared evolutionary history. a. Communication involves transduction of stimulatory or inhibitory signals from other cells, organisms or the environment. b. Correct and appropriate signal transduction processes are generally under strong selective pressure. c. In single-celled organisms, signal transduction pathways influence how the cell responds to its environment. • Use of chemical messengers by microbes to communicate with other nearby cells and to regulate specific pathways in response to population density (quorum sensing) • Use of pheromones to trigger reproduction and developmental pathways • Response to external signals by bacteria that influences cell movement d. In multicellular organisms, signal transduction pathways coordinate the activities within individual cells that support the function of the organism as a whole. • Epinephrine stimulation of glycogen breakdown in mammals • Temperature determination of sex in some vertebrate organisms • DNA repair mechanisms
Local (Short-Distance) Signaling Cells may communicate by direct contact Plasmodesmata in plant cells Gap junctions in animal cells allow ions & currents to flow directly from cell to cell -- used in smooth muscle → synchronized contractions. Animal cells can also use cell-cell recognition Membrane-bound surface molecules can interact and communicate
Local (Short-Distance) Signaling Messenger molecules can also be secreted by the signaling cell Paracrine Signaling: One cell secretes (releases) molecules that act on nearby “target” cells Example: growth factors Juxtacrine Signaling. Cell surface proteins from two different cells contact -- used in immune system. Similar to basic system, but signal molecule is not secreted -- remains on cell surface. Synaptic Signaling: Nerve cells release chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that stimulate the target cell
Gland secretes signal molecule (hormone) into blood. Major types of secreted Signals -- classified by type of cell that makes them and/or target location. 1. Endocrine: Signal molecule secreted by specialized cells in ductless (endocrine) gland Gland secretes signal molecule (hormone) into blood. Target cell is often far away. Acts long range. Examples: Insulin, estrogen, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) & TH (thyroid hormone) 2. Paracrine: Usually secreted by ordinary cells Target cell is near by -- Receptor is on adjacent cells. Act locally. histamines (mediate allergic reactions, responses to inflammation) prostaglandins -- initiate uterine cramps; cause fever in response to bacterial infection. Many growth factors (like EGF) 3. Autocrine: Like paracrine, except receptor is on same cell. ex. = some growth factors
4. Neurocrine: Neuron secretes signal molecule. Signal molecule acts as a neurotransmitter (NT) NT acts on receptors on neighbor (gland, another neuron or muscle). Acts locally, like a paracrine. Examples: norephinephrine, acetyl choline. 5. Neuroendocrine: Neuron secretes signal molecule, as in previous case. Signal molecule acts like a hormone (travels through blood to target). Example: Epinephrine (adrenaline). 6. Exocrine: Exocrine gland secretions are released by ducts to outside of body (or to inside of body cavity)*. Secretions on outside can carry signals → target in different individual = pheromones (detected by olfactory receptors in mammals). Chemical Communication
Long-Distance Signaling Endocrine (hormone) signaling Specialized cells release hormone molecules, which travel (usually by diffusion through cells or through the circulatory system) to target cells elsewhere in the organism
Three Stages of Cell Signaling There are 3 stages at the “receiving end” of a cellular conversation: In reception, a chemical signal binds to a cellular protein, typically at the cell’s surface (may also bind intracellularly). In transduction, binding leads to a change in the receptor that triggers a series of changes along a signal-transduction pathway. In response, the transduced signal triggers a specific cellular activity.
Stage 1: Reception The target cell “detects” that there is a signal molecule coming from outside the cell The signal is detected when it binds to a protein on the cell’s surface or inside the cell The signal molecule “searches out” specific receptor proteins The signal molecule is a ligand It is a molecule that specifically binds to another one (think enzymes!)
Stage 2: Transduction This stage converts the signal into a form that can bring about a specific cellular response One signal-activated receptor activates another protein, which activates another molecule, etc., etc. (relays) These act as relay molecules Often the message is transferred using protein kinases, which transfer phosphate groups from ATP molecules to proteins
Stage 3: Response The signal that was passed through the signal transduction pathway triggers a specific cellular response Examples: enzyme action, cytoskeleton rearrangement, activation of genes, etc., etc. Diagram example: transcription of mRNA
The Specificity of Cell Signaling The particular proteins that a cell possesses determine which signal molecules it will respond to and how it will respond to them Liver cells and heart cells, for example, do not respond in the same way to epinephrine because they have different collections of proteins
Signal Transduction Reception Transduction Response
2 Types of Signals Lipid-soluble steroids & thyroid hormones Diffuse through plasma mem. Enter nucleus Form “hormone-receptor complex” H-R complex binds as transcription factors to chromosome to activate/ inactivate gene(s) i.e. NO Peptides & water-soluble amines Hormone (A) binds to receptor on cell surface Activates G- protein Activates adenylate cyclase Converts ATP to cAMP cAMP activates protein kinases, which produce final effect.
Types of Receptors On Cell Surface -- for water soluble signals. Three major kinds of cell surface receptors -- G Protein Linked Receptors; Also called G Protein Coupled Receptors or GPCRs. (TSH & epinephrine use these.) Protein Kinase (usually TK) Linked Receptors. These generate cascades of modifications, but do not always use 2nd messengers. Ion Channels. Receptor is part of an ion channel. (Neurons) Intracellular -- for lipid soluble signals. All similar, all TF's. Receptors are transmembrane proteins with an extracellular binding domain for signal. These are sometimes called "extracellular receptors" but only ligand binding domain is extracellular, not the entire protein. Signal Transduction Pathway Animation Transduction Pathway Epinephrine
Cell Signaling: Extracellular Ligand for Cell Surface Receptor (hydrophilic: don’t cross plasma membrane) Ion-Channel-Linked Receptors convert chemical to electrical signals G-protein-linked Receptors ligand binding G-Protein activation by exchange bound GDP for GTP Common structure = 7-pass membrane protein Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Extracellular Signaling Molecules Many are Molecular Switches switched on by signaling molecule, must also be turned off Most common switching mechanisms (nicotine, morphine & heroin) phosphorylation signal activated kinase; (kinase = enzyme that phosphorylates a protein) dephosphorylation – phosphatase GTP binding proteins: GDP bound = inactive, GTP bound = active
G-Protein Linked Receptors Some activate membrane-bound enzymes => increase “2nd messengers” Small and water soluble and easily diffuse 2nd messenger = cAMP adenyl cyclase => ATP to cAMP cAMP phosphodiesterase => cAMP to ATP cAMP dependent protein kinase activation by Camp cAMP => both rapid and slow responses 2nd messengers = IP3 & DAG phospholipase c => IP3 & DAG IP3 => opens ER Ca+2 channels . >>>> cytoplasmic Ca+2. > free Ca+2 => many effects DAG (w free Ca+2) => activated PKC to inner face of membrane activated PKC => many effects 2nd messenger = Ca+2 free Ca+2 => many effect via Ca+2 binding proteins e.g. calmodulin & calmodulin dependent protein kinases
The G protein acts as an on-off switch. If GDP is bound, the G protein is inactive. If GTP is bound, the G protein is active.
Some regulate ion channels. Some activate membrane-bound Some regulate ion channels Some activate membrane-bound enzymes increase “2nd messengers” 16_19_open_K_chan.jpg
2nd messengers = IP3 & DAG 2nd messenger = cAMP 16_24_cAMP_activate.jpg
16_23_slowly_rapidly.jpg Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
Cell Signaling: Intracellular Signaling Pathways: Same receptor molecule can interact w/many intracellular relay systems so same signal & same receptor different effects in different cells Same relay system many act on many different intracellular targets
Signaling Cascade Critical Functions Transduce Signal Relay signal from point of reception to point of response production Amplify signaling molecules are found in such [low] that the effect would be minimal w/o amplification Distribute signal to >1 process simultaneously Modulate signal to fit other internal & external conditions 16_08_cascades.jpg
Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signaling. a. Cells communicate by cell-to-cell contact. • Immune cells interact by cell-cell contact, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), helper T-cells and killer T-cells. • Plasmodesmata between plant cells that allow material to be transported from cell to cell. b. Cells communicate over short distances by using local regulators that target cells in the vicinity of the emitting cell. • Neurotransmitters • Plant immune response • Quorum sensing in bacteria • Morphogens in embryonic development c. Signals released by one cell type can travel long distances to target cells of another cell type. 1. Endocrine signals are produced by endocrine cells that release signaling molecules, which are specific and can travel long distances through the blood to reach all parts of the body. Insulin Human growth hormone Thyroid hormones Testosterone Estrogen
Cell Signaling SIGNALING PATHWAYS CAN BE HIGHLY INTERCONNECTED F16-38 (like nerve networks in brain or microprocessors in a computer) “... a major challenge to figure out how cell communication pieces fit together to allow cells to integrate environmental signals and to respond appropriately”
Death Signaling, 2, 3 16_38_Signal_pathways.jpg
Cell Signaling in Plants Signaling Between Plants & Pathogens Phytochrome signaling
Resources Pathophysiology of the Endocrine System Signal Transduction Pathways Cell-Cell Adhesion in Leukocyte Extravasation Fight or Flight Response Fibroblast Cell Signals Fight or Flight 2 Cell Signaling Links Bozeman Signal Transduction Pathways Signal Transduction by Extracellular Receptors Tutorial Cell Signaling Flash Movies p53 Song Apoptosis Animation
Essential knowledge 3.D.1: Cell communication processes share common features that reflect a shared evolutionary history. a. Communication involves transduction of stimulatory or inhibitory signals from other cells, organisms or the environment. [See also 1.B.1] b. Correct and appropriate signal transduction processes are generally under strong selective pressure. c. In single-celled organisms, signal transduction pathways influence how the cell responds to its environment. • chemical messengers by microbes to communicate with nearby cells and regulate specific pathways in response to population density (quorum sensing), pheromones to trigger reproduction & developmental pathways, Response to external signals by bacteria that influences cell movement d. In multicellular organisms, signal transduction pathways coordinate the activities within individual cells that support the function of the organism as a whole. LO 3.31 The student is able to describe basic chemical processes for cell communication shared across evolutionary lines of descent. [See SP 7.2] LO 3.32 The student is able to generate scientific questions involving cell communication as it relates to the process of evolution. [See SP 3.1] LO 3.33 The student is able to use representation(s) and appropriate models to describe features of a cell signaling pathway. [See SP 1.4] Essential knowledge 3.D.2: Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signaling. a. Cells communicate by cell-to-cell contact. • Immune cells interact by cell-cell contact, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), helper T-cells and killer T-cells. [See also 2.D.4] • Plasmodesmata between plant cells that allow material to be transported from cell to cell. b. Cells communicate over short distances by using local regulators that target cells in the vicinity of the emitting cell. • Neurotransmitters • Plant immune response • Quorum sensing in bacteria • Morphogens in embryonic development Essential knowledge 3.D.3: Signal transduction pathways link signal reception with cellular response. a. Signaling begins with the recognition of a chemical messenger, a ligand, by a receptor protein. 1. Different receptors recognize different chemical messengers, which can be peptides, small chemicals or proteins, in a specific one-to-one relationship. 2. A receptor protein recognizes signal molecules, causing the receptor protein’s shape to change, which initiates transduction of the signal. • G-protein linked receptors • Ligand-gated ion channels • Receptor tyrosine kinases b. Signal transduction is the process by which a signal is converted to a cellular response. 1. Signaling cascades relay signals from receptors to cell targets, often amplifying the incoming signals, with the result of appropriate responses by the cell. 2. Second messengers are often essential to the function of the cascade. • Ligand-gated ion channels • Second messengers, such as cyclic GMP, cyclic AMP calcium ions (Ca2+), and inositol triphosphate (IP3) 3. Many signal transduction pathways include: i. Protein modifications (an illustrative example could be how methylation changes the signaling process) ii. Phosphorylation cascades in which a series of protein kinases add a phosphate group to the next protein in the cascade sequence LO 3.36 The student is able to describe a model that expresses the key elements of signal transduction pathways by which a signal is converted to a cellular response. Essential knowledge 3.D.4: Changes in signal transduction pathways can alter cellular response. a. Conditions where signal transduction is blocked or defective can be deleterious, preventative or prophylactic. • Diabetes, heart disease, neurological disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, cholera • Effects of neurotoxins, poisons, pesticides • Drugs (Hypertensives, Anesthetics, Antihistamines and Birth Control Drugs)