Warm-Up
1. Why do you communicate?
2. How do you communicate?
3. How do you think cells communicate?
4. Do you think bacteria can communicate?
Explain.
Warm-Up
1. Compare the structure & function of these receptor proteins:
GPCR, tyrosine kinase and ligand-gated ion channels.
2. What is a second messenger? What are some examples of
these molecules?
3. What are the possible responses to signal transduction in a
cell?
Cell Communication
CHAPTER 11
Do bacteria communicate?
Bonnie Bassler on How Bacteria “ Talk”
Video Questions:
1. Why are scientists studying how bacteria (and not just
human cells) communicate?
2. What is quorum sensing?
3. Describe how Vibrio fischeri use quorum sensing in squid.
4. According to Bonnie Bassler (Princeton University), what
are scientists hoping to use as the next class of antibiotics?
Cell Signaling
Animal cells communicate by:
Direct contact (gap junctions)
Secreting local regulators (growth
factors, neurotransmitters)
Long distance (hormones)
3 Stages of Cell Signaling:
1. Reception: Detection of a signal molecule (ligand)
coming from outside the cell
2. Transduction: Convert signal to a form that can
bring about a cellular response
3. Response: Cellular response to the signal molecule
Reception
Transduction
Response
1. Reception
Binding between signal molecule (ligand) + receptor is
highly specific.
Types of Receptors:
a) Plasma membrane receptor
water-soluble ligands
b) Intracellular receptors (cytoplasm, nucleus)
hydrophobic or small ligands
Eg. testosterone or nitric oxide (NO)
Ligand binds to receptor protein protein changes
SHAPE initiates transduction signal
Plasma Membrane Receptors
G-Protein Coupled Ligand-Gated Ion
Tyrosine Kinase
Receptor (GPCR) Channels
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor
Plasma Membrane Receptors
G-Protein Coupled Ligand-Gated Ion
Tyrosine Kinase
Receptor (GPCR) Channels
7 transmembrane
segments in
membrane
G protein + GTP
activates enzyme
cell response
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
Plasma Membrane Receptors
G-Protein Coupled Ligand-Gated Ion
Tyrosine Kinase
Receptor (GPCR) Channels
Attaches (P) to
tyrosine
Activate multiple
cellular responses at
once
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel
Plasma Membrane Receptors
G-Protein Coupled Ligand-Gated Ion
Tyrosine Kinase
Receptor (GPCR) Channels
Signal on receptor
changes shape
Regulate flow of
specific ions
(Ca2+, Na+)
2. Transduction
Cascades of molecular interactions relay
signals from receptors target molecules
Protein kinase: enzyme that phosphorylates
and activates proteins at next level
Phosphorylation cascade: enhance and
amplify signal
Second Messengers
small, nonprotein molecules/ions that can relay signal
inside cell
Eg. cyclic AMP (cAMP), calcium ions (Ca2+),
inositol triphosphate (IP3)
cAMP
cAMP = cyclic adenosine monophosphate
GPCR adenylyl cyclase (convert ATP cAMP)
activate protein kinase A
3. Response
Regulate protein synthesis by
turning on/off genes in nucleus
(gene expression)
Regulate activity of proteins in
cytoplasm
An Example of Cell
Communication
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/cellcom/
Signal Transduction Pathway
Problems/Defects:
Examples:
Diabetes
Cholera
Autoimmune disease
Cancer
Neurotoxins, poisons, pesticides
Drugs (anesthetics, antihistamines, blood
pressure meds)
Cholera
Toxin modifies G-protein
involved in regulating salt &
Disease acquired by water secretion
drinking contaminated
water (w/human feces) G protein stuck in active form
intestinal cells secrete salts,
Bacteria (Vibrio cholerae) water
colonizes lining of small
intestine and produces toxin Infected person develops
profuse diarrhea and could die
from loss of water and salts
Viagra
Used as treatment for erectile dysfunction
Inhibits hydrolysis of cGMP GMP
Prolongs signal to relax smooth muscle in artery
walls; increase blood flow to penis
Viagra inhibits cGMP breakdown
Apoptosis = cell suicide
Cell is dismantled and digested
Triggered by signals that activate cascade of
“ suicide” proteins (caspase)
Why?
Protect neighboring cells from damage
Animal development & maintenance
May be involved in some diseases (Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s)
Apoptosis of a human white blood cell
Left: Normal WBC
Right: WBC undergoing apoptosis – shrinking and forming lobes (“ blebs” )
Effect of apoptosis during paw
development in the mouse
