Hydrophilic signal molecules

1. Hydrophilic signal molecules Hydrophilic signal molecules such as peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. These cannot pass through a cell membrane and must activate the surface receptor proteins Once activated the surface receptor protein generates an intracellular response This process is called signal transduction

2. The mechanism by which hydrophilic extra-cellular molecules such as peptide hormones generate an intracellular response Endocrine cell Target cell Receptor Bloodstream

3. Hormones, such as peptide hormones, are produced in endocrine glands, secreted into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body. These signal molecules only produce a response in target molecules with the appropriate surface receptor. This type of cell signalling is used by the body to co-ordinate the bodies metabolism and causes relatively slow, long lasting changes. Important peptide hormone include insulin and glucagon

4. A second group of hydrophilic signalling molecules are neurotransmitters An electrical signal is passed along a nerve and on reaching the terminal point stimulates the release of neurotransmitter signalling molecules. These diffuse across the gap between nerves known as a synapse and lock onto receptors found on the surface of the nearest nerve generating an electrical impulse Neurotransmitters produce a fast acting , short lived response between nerves

5. Neuron consists of dendron + cell body + axon Dendron Cell body Axon Target cell Receptor Direction of nerve impulse Synapse showing movement of neurotransmitter molecules The mechanism by which hydrophilic extra-cellular molecules such as neurotransmitters generate an intracellular response When activated by signals from the surroundings, or other nerve cells, the neuron sends electrical impulses along its axon at speeds of up to 100 meters/second. On reaching the axon terminal, the intracellular electrical signals are converted to an extra-cellular form: each electrical impulse stimulates the terminal to secrete a pulse of chemical signal called a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters diffuse across the narrow gap, known as a synapse, and bind to receptors on the surface of the target cell

6. In both cases above the extracellular signal molecule binds to cell surface receptors as the hydrophilic molecules cannot cross the lipid bilayer. These receptors act as transducers which convert the signal on the outside of the cell to an intracellular signal There are three main classes of cell-surface receptors

7. Three types of signal transduction mechanism: ion channels enzyme-linked G-protein-linked Transport ions rapidly across membranes. Very important in Muscles and nerves G-linked protein actives G-protein which in turn starts sequence of intracellular events Extracellular signal binds to inactive form and activates the enzyme function at the cytosol side

8. Class1 - Ion-channel receptors. These are found on the surface of muscles and nerves and tranduce a signal in the form of a neurotransmitter into an electrical voltage. Class 2 - G-protein-linked receptors. This is the largest group. G-protein-linked receptors activate a G-protein which sets off a chain of events within the cell. These are found in all cells Class 3 - Enzyme linked receptors . An enzyme linked receptor binds an extracellular signal molecule switching on an enzyme activity, usually a kinase. on the other side of the membrane. This kinase activity causes the phosphorylation of other intracellular proteins. These are found in all cells

9. l a n (a) (b) g i s signal AC AC GP GP ATP GTP GDP cAMP other effects G-protein-linked receptors • The peptide hormone glucagon sets off a chain of reactions as follows:- • Glucagon molecule binds to G-linked protein • Inactive G-Protein is switched on by addition of phosphate to GDP • Activated G protein binds to enzyme adenylate cyclase (AC) • Enzyme AC breaks down ATP to cyclic AMP • Cyclic AMP causes intracellular effect e.g. breakdown of glycogen • or fats or activates gene regulatory proteins which switch on genes