cell signaling

Cells, whether unicellular organisms or cells within multicellular organisms, adjust to signals within their environment and communicate with other cells.

▼ autocrine : cellular responses : combinatorial : contact-dependent signaling : cytokines : delay/rapidity : distance of signal : endocrine : environmental signals : evolution : histidine kinase : hormones : neuronal signaling : neurotransmitters : paracrine : prokaryote signaling : rapidity/delay : receptor proteins : receptors : regulator proteins : SH domains : signal termination : signaling distance : signal transduction ▼

Receptors are molecules that receive signals by binding ligands, for which receptors have varying binding affinity. Signal transduction is the process of converting signals from one form to another, ultimately adjusting an intracellular process, as in metabolic regulation, or an intranuclear process, such as gene expression.

Signaling operates at various distances:
● contact signaling – particularly important in immune signaling and during development

signaling mediated by synthesized signal mediators
● autocrine – chemical mediators (cytokines, growth factors) that operate on the cell that produces the mediator [1, 2]

signaling mediated by secreted signal mediators
● paracrine – short-range
● endocrine – long-range via hormones

Neurons signal at long-range by virtue of their long axonal processes, but neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft operate at short-range, enabling rapid, precise signaling.

Speed of signaling is determined by:
● speed of production of the signal (synthesis of mediators)
● speed of delivery of signal mediators (delivery of mediators to target cells)
● speed of cellular response to the signal
● depolarization, impulse propagation, repolarization of nerve cells

Signals are terminated by:
● dissociation of mediator ligand from receptor
● absorption of mediator by neighboring target cells (neurotransmitters and other paracrine mediators)
● enzymatic destruction of mediators
● immobilization by adsorption of mediators in ECM or by binding to intracellular proteins

Signal transduction is usually performed by enzymes in association with second messengers. Signaling proteins operate in a combinatorial fashion within signaling networks, greatly extending the biological roles of individual proteins. The simplest such system comprises two components – a histidine kinase protein that receives a signal and transmits it, via phosphorelay, to a partner response-regulator protein. Protein domains and motif interactions display considerable flexibility, providing an obvious evolutionary advantage. For example, single amino acid substitutions alter the binding specificity of SH2 domains such that specificity can change quite rapidly, enabling formation of new signaling connections as metazoan organisms became more complex.

Environmental signals include mechanical stimuli (light, sound) and chemical stimuli. The origin of a biochemical stimulus may be the cell itself (autocrine), adjacent cells (paracrine), the plasma membrane of adjacent cells (contact inhibition), or distant cells (endocrine).

Neurotransmission incorporates interaction between neurotransmitters and specific receptor proteins. Cytokines mediate paracrine stimulation, and hormones mediate endocrine stimulation.

Cellular responses to signaling include:
● alterations in gene expression (transcription)
● alteration of electrophysiological charge
● cellular cycling and reproduction
● regulation of cellular metabolic processes
● biosynthesis with or without secretion
● cellular growth
● chemotaxis, migration, and, in multicellular organisms, extravasation
● initiation of immune and inflammatory responses
● differentiation into cell lines or maturation of cell lines
● cellular survival or apoptosis

Intracellular interactions in prokaryotes
Four kinds of cell interactions can be distinguished:
1) Transfer of a chemical signal from one cell to another. The variety of such transfers is presented in several examples.
2) Signaling by direct physical contact between two cell bodies, which may involve their surfaces or cell appendages, such as fibrils, pili, or flagella (bacterial flagella). Direct physical contact is often involved in cell swarming.
3) Syntrophic metabolism. Schink Syntrophism Among Prokaryotes.
4) Gene transfer from one cell to another.


• bacterial interactions • concentration gradients • ion channels • protein pumps • receptor proteins • receptor-mediated endocytosis • GPCRs • GPCR families • hormones • neurotransmission • Nitric Oxide • neuronal interconnections • phosphotransfer-mediated signaling pathways • Protein Kinase Signaling Networks • signaling gradients :

KEGG Encyclopedia : Pathway ABC transporters : Pathway Phosphotransferase system (PTS) : Pathway Two-component system : Pathway MAPK signaling pathway : Pathway Wnt signaling pathway : Pathway Notch signaling pathway : Pathway Hedgehog signaling pathway : Pathway TGF-beta signaling pathway : Pathway VEGF signaling pathway : Pathway Jak-STAT signaling pathway : Pathway Calcium signaling pathway : Pathway Phosphatidylinositol signaling system : Pathway mTOR signaling pathway : Pathway Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction : Pathway Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction : Pathway ECM-receptor interaction : Pathway Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) : Orthology Transporters (+diseases) : Orthology Two-component system : Orthology Receptors and channels (+diseases) : Orthology Cytokines :
Orthology Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) : Orthology CAM ligands : Orthology CD molecules :
Orthology GTP-binding proteins :

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cell-surface receptors

Receptors on cell-surfaces participate in intercellular signaling by transducing conformational change, which is induced in the receptor upon ligand-binding, into intracellular signaling and altered biophysiological activity. Thousands of receptors of varying specificity for activating ligands participate in the fine-tuned network of signaling cascades that is essential for biological functioning.

This bewildering array of receptors is variably classified according to ligand, receptor, or pathway and includes the largest protein family known (GPCRs).

Broadly, surface receptors responsive to hormones are divided into indirect-enzymatic metabotropic receptors and direct-ion channel, ionotropic receptors.

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GPCR

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, GPCRs, serpentine receptors, 7TM receptors, or heptahelical receptors are a large family of protein receptors in which an intracellular G-protein is coupled to a transmembrane receptor.

▼ alpha-helices : cascade : effector enzymes : evolution : families : functions : GABA receptors : GDP/GTP : G-proteins : inorganic stimuli : opioid receptor : PDZ domains : phylogeny : physical stimuli : second messengers : stimuli : transmembrane receptors : trimeric ▼

GPCRs transduce signals from transmembrane receptors for sensory, hormonal, chemical, or photic stimuli into regulation of effector enzymes and ion channels, chemotaxis, and cellular signal transduction. GPCRs are diverse and of ancient unicellular evolutionary origin, and are found in fungi, plants, and animals. Sequence similarities of 7TM receptors, which stem from phylogenetic relatedness, are confined largely to the transmembrane domains. They share a common structure of plasma membrane-spanning helices with seven hydrophobic domains (7-TMSs). GPCRs are typically 20-28 amino acid residues long.

GPCRs are trimeric proteins that respond to a variety of specific ligands and stimuli – for example, photons, ions, biogenic amines, nucleosides, lipids, amino acids, and peptides. GPCRs are the only non-ion-channel plasma membrane receptors that are activated by inorganic chemicals and physical stimuli. Transmembrane GPCRs bind GDP when inactive, and switch the bound nucleotide to GTP when activated. Although most GPCRs do not require dimerization for their function, some receptors such as the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors require heterodimerization of paralogs for their proper expression and function. [r]

The signalling cascade begins with attachment of a specific ligand, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, cellular adhesion molecule, hormone, steroid, cytokine, or a specific energetic stimulus, which initiates brief (seconds) binding of GTP rather than GDP. Signal transduction is accomplished through the coupling of G-proteins, via second messengers, to various secondary pathways involving ion channels, adenylyl cyclases, and phospholipases. Further, GPCRs may also couple to other proteins, such as those containing PDZ domains. Second messengers include adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), cGMP, phosphoinositides, diacylglycerol (DAG), and calcium ions. Triggered events include activation of kinase cascades and phosphorylation of cytosolic factors and nuclear transcriptional factors. Activated GPCRs also recruit GPCR receptor kinases (GRKs) that phosphorylate the receptors themselves to facilitate termination of signaling or receptor turnover.

GPCR functions include:
a) generation of second messengers including cGMP and IP3, which stimulate phosphorylation reactions, causing release of second-messenger calcium ions from storage in ER,
b) generation of cAMP and activation of the transcription factor, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) to stimulate gene transcription
c) cellular signal transduction
d) regulation of gene transcription
e) chemotaxis
f) ion channel opening (confromational change) in response to neurotransmitters

: animation G-protein : Tables Second Messengers  Cell signaling  RTKs :

It is anticipated that future elucidation of GPCR constitution will reveal alpha-helical structures, consisting of 20 to 28 amino acids each.

On-line structural representations for the human µ opioid receptor, for example, is available as a 2D schematic. The 3D structure for inactive (dark) rhodopsin has been established, and the GPCRDB server holds atomic coordinates of 3D models of GPCRs. For more detailed information on-line about GPCRs, consult the GPCR database at GPCRDB.

The GPCRs have been divided into at least six families of GPCRs showing little to no sequence similarity, which can not be traced to a single evolutionary origin.

Tables  Cell signaling  Receptor Tyrosine Kinases(RTK) :

• CELL SIGNALING ~ ERKs • GPCRs • GPCR families • hormones • Nitric Oxide• neurotransmission • neuronal interconnections ~ PKA, protein kinase A ~ PKC ~ protein kinase A ~ protein kinase C ~ protein tyrosine kinases • phosphotransfer-mediated signaling pathways • Protein Kinase Signaling Networks • receptor tyrosine kinases •  Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)  Cell signaling • signaling gradients • signal transduction • two-component systems • animation MAPK signal transduction : animation G-protein :

Signaling pathways:
Pathway ABC transporters : Pathway Phosphotransferase system (PTS) : Pathway Two-component system : Pathway MAPK signaling pathway : Pathway Wnt signaling pathway : Pathway Notch signaling pathway : Pathway Hedgehog signaling pathway : Pathway TGF-beta signaling pathway : Pathway VEGF signaling pathway : Pathway Jak-STAT signaling pathway : Pathway Calcium signaling pathway : Pathway Phosphatidylinositol signaling system : Pathway mTOR signaling pathway : Pathway Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction : Pathway Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction : Pathway ECM-receptor interaction : Pathway Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) :

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hormones

Hormones are molecules that are excreted by exocrine cells and that act at a site distant from their point of excretion by ligating receptor proteins.

Steroid hormones exert their effects by binding to various specific receptor proteins, forming complexes with transcription factors that bind to response elements of genes. Response elements are sequences of DNA that are located in promoter or enhancer sequences, and which contain short consensus sequences.

Estrogen response element (ERE) – estrogen binds to the estrogen receptor transcription factor; consensus sequence AGGTCANNNTGACCT.

Glucocorticoid response element (GRE) – glucocorticoids bind to the glucocorticoid receptor transcription factor; consensus sequence AGAACANNNTGTTCT

Hormones such as adrenaline, glucagon, luteinizing hormone (LH), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) interact with GPCRs to cause an increase in the cyclic nucleotide, second messenger, cAMP. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) interacts with GPCRs to elevate levels of the cyclic nucleotide, second messenger, cGMP. The the peptide/protein hormones vasopressin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and angiotensin, via activate phospholipase C (PLC).

Ca²⁺ ions, which are the most widely employed second messengers, are involved in the secretion of hormones such as insulin.

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immune receptors

The functionality of cells of the immune system is particularly dependent on signal pathways, and the various lymphoid cell types sport an array of receptors.

▼ antigenic determinant : APC costimulation : BCR: complement receptors : cytokines : epitope : FcR : Ig-Fc : IgG : opsonins : pathogen associated molecular patterns : pattern recognition receptors : phagocyte receptors : respiratory burst complement : respiratory burst Fc : : scavenger receptors : TCR : TLR : Toll-like receptors : VDJ recombination ▼

Phagocytes

Phagocytic cells detect infectious agents that bind to a variety of receptors on the phagocytes cell membranes, including:

● Fc receptors (FcR, Ig-Fc) – the constant region (Fc) of IgG on bacterial surfaces can bind to the Fc receptor on phagocytes. Such binding to the Fc receptor requires prior antibody-antigen interaction. The binding of IgG-coated bacteria to phagocytic Fc receptors stimulates both metabolic activity in the phagocytes (respiratory burst) and phagocytic activity. Fc receptors include the clusters of differentiation, CD16 (Fcγ RIII), CD32 (Fcγ RII-A, Fcγ RII-B2, Fcγ RII-B1), and CD64 (Fcγ RI), Fcε RI, and Fcα RI. All FcR are stimulatory except inhibitory Fcγ RII-B1 and B2, which contain immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibition motifs (ITIMs) in their cytoplasmic tail. Table  Fc receptors

● Complement receptors – Phagocytic cells possess a receptor for the C3b complement opsonins, and binding of C3b-coated bacteria to this receptor stimulates enhanced phagocytosis and the respiratory burst. Table  Complement Receptors.

● Scavenger receptors bind a variety of polyanions on bacterial surfaces, stimulating phagocytosis of the polyanion-coated bacteria. Macrophage scavenger receptors appear to mediate important, conserved functions, so it was likely pattern-recognition receptors that arose early in the evolution of host-defense mechanisms. Table  Scavenger Receptors

● Toll-like receptors are a variety of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) on infectious agents. Binding of the infectious agents to Toll-like receptors stimulates phagocytosis and the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6) from the phagocytes. Table  Toll-like Receptors

Tables  Complement Receptors  Fc receptors  Immune Cytokines  Immunoglobulins  Interferons  Scavenger Receptors  Toll-like Receptors .

Lymphocytes

The surfaces of B cells and T cells are coated with thousands of identical copies of different integral membrane receptors (BCRs, TCRs), each capable of binding with a different antigen.

Receptor characteristics
● thousands of copies of integral membrane proteins with unique antigen binding sites
● encoded by genes assembled by VDJ recombination produced without antigen encounter
● the antigen binding site recognizes an antigenic determinant or epitope on the antigen
● binding, by non-covalent forces, is based on complementarity of the surface of the receptor and the surface of the epitope

Binding of receptor to epitope, when accompanied by APC-costimulation, leads to:
● stimulation of the B or T cell to leave the G0 phase and enter the cell cycle
● repeated mitosis generates a clone of cells of identical specificity, each coated with an identical antigen receptor.

Cytokine receptors:
● Hematopoietin family receptors are dimers or trimers with conserved cysteines in their extracellular domains and a conserved Trp-Ser-X-Trp-Ser sequence. The two subunits are i) cytokine-specific, and ii) signal transducing. Examples are receptors for IL-2 through IL-7 and GM-CSF.
___ ● Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are glycoprotein molecules that support growth of hematopoietic colonies. Examples are receptors for interleukin 3 (IL-3), G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF.

● Interferon family receptors
Interferons are immune cytokines that are classified, as type I, II, or III, according to the receptors through which they signal. Interferon (INF) family receptors have conserved cysteine residues and include the receptors for IFNα, IFNβ, and IFNγ.

● Tumor Necrosis Factor family receptors possess four extracellular domains. Examples are receptors for TNFα, TNFβ (lymphotoxin β, LT), CD40, CD27, CD30, and Fas.

● Chemokine family receptors have seven transmembrane helices (serpentine, GRCRs) and interact with G protein. This family includes receptors for IL-8, MIP-1, MCP (monocyte chemoattractant protein), and RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted). Chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 are used by HIV to preferentially enter either macrophages or T cells.

Tables  Complement Receptors  Fc receptors  Immune Cytokines  Immunoglobulins  Interferons  Cell Adhesion Molecules  Cell signaling  Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)  Receptor Signal Transduction  Second Messengers  Scavenger Receptors  Toll-like Receptors 

▲ф ф antibodies ф antigen : antigenic determinant ф APCs : APC costimulation : BCR ф BCR ф B cells ф CD ф cellular response ф clonal selection ф complement system : complement receptors ф complement system ф costimulation : cytokines ~ cytokines ф dendritic cells : epitope : FcR  Fc receptors ф granulocytes ф helper T cell ф hematopoiesis ф humoral immunity : Ig-Fc : IgG  Immune Cytokines  Immunoglobulins □□ Immunology ~ immunoglobulins ф inflammatory response ф immune cytokines ф immune response ф lymphocytes ф lymphoid system ф macrophages ф MHC : opsonins ф pathogens : pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) : pattern recognition receptors (PRR) ф pattern-recognition receptors : phagocyte receptors ф phagocyte ф plasma cells : respiratory burst complement ››› respiratory burst : respiratory burst Fc : scavenger receptors ф signaling ф surface receptors : TCR ф TCR ф T cells : TLR : Toll-like receptors : VDJ recombination ▲ф

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receptor proteins

Biologically active molecules (ligands) exert their physiological effect by activating or inducing 3D conformational changes in receptor proteins, which participate in signal transduction, cellular signaling, gene regulation, cellular proliferation and differentiation, or regulation of cellular metabolic processes.

Right - click to enlarge - Cartoon representation of a complex between DNA and the ZIF268 protein, containing 3 zinc finger motifs. The coordinating residues of the middle zinc finger are highlighted. Based on the x-ray structure of PDB 1A1L. Color coding: ZIF268: blue; DNA: orange; Zinc ions: green Author: Thomas Splettstoesser Download high-resolution version (1188x1114, 410 KB)

Receptor proteins are located in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, or nuclear membrane.
1. Cytoplasmic receptor proteins include those that respond to steroid hormones. Ligand activated receptors may enter the cell nucleus where they modulate gene expression.
2. Receptors within cell membranes may be peripheral or trans-membrane proteins. Many receptors for hormones and neurotransmission are trans-membrane proteins.
_a. Metabotropic receptors are coupled to G proteins, acting through various secondary pathways involving ion channels, enzymes such as adenylyl (adenylate) cyclases, and phospolipases, or PDZ domains.
_b. Ionotropic receptors are ligand-activated ion channels that permit entry of ions when the central pore is open.

סּ active transport סּ ion channels [] image - receptor proteins [] 3D image steroid receptor - Zn finger Џ animation - receptor protein :

There are more than 1200 individual human plasma membrane receptors in more than 20 families. Examples of receptor proteins/receptors include:
a. Guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (metabotropic).
b. serine threonine kinases (SerThr Kinase) : TGF-β; MAPK cascade; phosphoinositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family - mTOR (FRAP1), ATM, ATR, DNA-PK
c. receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) : EGFR, Tie receptors, Eph RTKs,
d. cytokine receptors
e. integrins
f. TNF receptors : FAS

Џ beautiful Flash 8 animation - Inner Life of the Cell, which shows membrane adhesion-signaling, and Interpretation: Inner Life of the Cell Џ

• A • adhesion • C • cell membranes • cellular adhesion molecules • cellular signal transduction • centrioles • chemotaxis • chloroplast • cilia & flagella • communication • concentration gradients • cytokine receptors • cytoplasm • cytoskeleton • E • energy transducers • endoplasmic reticulum • endosomes • exosome • F • flagella & cilia • G • Golgi apparatus • GPCRs • H • hormones • I • ion channels • L • lysosome • M • meiosis • microtubules • mitosis • mitochondrion • N • Nitric Oxide • neurotransmission • neuronal interconnections • nuclear membrane • nuclear pore • P • pinocytosis • proteasome • protein degradation • pumps • R • receptor proteins • receptor-mediated endocytosis • S • second messengers • signaling gradients • signal transduction • spindle • structure • T • transport • two-component systems • U • ubiquitin • V • vacuole • vesicle •

. 7 TM receptors & GPCRs . Toll . NPR . Integrins . LDL receptors & LRP . Notch . Patched Plexins . Roundabout . RPTPs . RTKs . Ser/Thr Kinase receptors . TNF receptors . Cytokine 1 receptors . T-cell receptors . Cytokine 2 receptors . Netrin receptors .

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