for binding sites for signal molecules and G-proteins. When a signal molecule from the extracellular fluid attaches to the signal-binding site it activates the G-protein-linked receptor by changing its shape. When this happens, the G-protein, loosely attached to the cytoplasmic side of the cellular membrane, attaches to its binding side on the receptor protein. The inactive G-protein becomes activated when GDP is displaced by GTP, a molecule similar to ATP. When the signal molecule is released
interact, or couple, almost exclusively with a particular type G protein. For example, tachykinin receptor 2 is now appreciated to signal through both Gs to activate adenylyl cyclase and Gq to mobilize calcium in response to neurokinin A, and that this coupling can preferentially be altered by a negative allosteric modulator towards Gq. Drugs that bias signal transduction through G protein coupling, like through G protein or arrestin, may bias likewise allow for the activation of desired pathways while
A critical role for persistent inflammation in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases with diverse clinical manifestations such as the immune mediated rheumatoid arthritis (RA)/multiple sclerosis (MS) or the neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s disease (AD)/Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently well recognized 1-5 . Sustained or unregulated activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-) is integral to the persistence of inflammation 6, 7. The term NF-B includes five structurally
Chronic Myeloid leukemia (CML) is a blood and bone marrow disease that slowly progresses. The disease usually occurs in middle aged or older individuals and rarely occurs in children. In CML, an unusually high number of blood stem cells become granulocytes. These granulocytes, also called leukemia cells are irregular in shape and do not develop into healthy white blood cells. Eventually, they concentrate in the blood leaving no room for healthy cells which may lead to infection, anemia, or bleeding
many effects that insulin has on metabolism and cellular growth begin when insulin binds to its receptor at the cell membrane. The insulin signals from the insulin receptor is transmitted through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1. The phosphorylation (creation of a phosphate derivative of an organic molecule) of IRS-1 has been linked to signal transduction from the insulin receptor to PI 3-kinase. This leads to GLUT-4 translocation and subsequent glucose uptake. Preliminary studies have shown
Oncogenes: Role in Development of Cancer An oncogene is a gene whose main function is as a potential to cause cancer in the cell cycle. A normal cell is transformed into a cancerous cell when the cell’s proteins involved in regulating cell division are no longer able to facilitate progression from one stage of the cell cycle to the next. Cancer cells do not lack function but reproduce at an abnormally high rate bypassing the boundaries of the cell cycle. Cancer cells, with the function brought on
receptor, it causes the protein channel to permit ion flow. Receptors can also be acting on protein channels in more indirect fashion, via a second messenger system. A second messenger system is characterized by a G Protein's inclusion in the transduction of "signals from the transmembrane receptors to intracellular effectors." (1) That means, the binding of a neurotransmitter to a receptor activates a G Protein, which causes the protein channels gating ion flow to open. For this, two general mechanisms
from other phospholipids into distinct microdomains (Brown & London, 1998). These microdomains have been termed rafts that play a function in aggregation of receptor molecules and the reorganization of intracellular signaling molecules to transmit a signal into the cell. Sphingomyeline (SM) seems to be the main sphingolipid source for bioactive ceramide in the vast majority of cells, thereby stressing the major functions for ASMs in initiating ceramide signaling (Perrotta et al., 2010). ASM was initially
Homeostasis is essential to the cell’s survival. The cell membrane is responsible for homeostasis. The membrane has a selective permeability which means what moves in and out of the cell is regulated. Amino acids, sugars, oxygen, sodium, and potassium are examples of substances that enter the cell. Waste products and carbon dioxide are removed from the cell. All of these substances cross the membrane in a variety of ways. From diffusion and osmosis, to active transport the traffic through the
Review the mechanisms by which endothelial cells contribute to inflammation in key diseases The endothelium is a cell layer that is lined on the interior surface of lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, which are made up of endothelial cells (Dorland, 2012). The endothelial cells in direct contact with blood cells are called vascular endothelial cells while those in contact with lymph are called lymphatic endothelial cells. Besides regulating hemostasis, endothelial cells also possess important functions
CREB-1 (Ca2+/cAMP response element binding protein-1) Ca2+/cAMP response element binding (CREB-1) protein is a transcription factor that regulates cell growth, homeostasis and survival. A TM phosphorylates CREB at Ser111 in response to IR. This, in turn, triggers CK-2 dependent phosphorylation of Ser108 and CK1 dependent phosphorylatio~ ofSer114 and Ser117. The phosphorylation of Ser 114 and Ser 117 by CK1 renders CREB permissive for ATM dependent phosphorylation at Ser121 (Shanware et al., 2007)
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading neurodegenerative disease in elderly adults. It affects more than 30 million people in the world (1). There are a few major markers behind Alzheimer’s disease. These include amyloid β plaque, oxidative stress, and inflammation. A potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are the processes involved in the synthesis, transport, and function of retinoids. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. They help to regulate differentiation and cell proliferation
Tetrahydrocannibol is a drug that has several effects on the endocannabinoid system of the brain. In this article I shall first explore the normal function of the system and further on go into how tetrahydrocannibol induces its pharmacological effects. Endocannabinoid System The endocannabinoid system is defined as a group of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors in the brain that are concerned in a range of physiological processes such as appetite, pain-sensation, psychomotor behavior, wake/sleep
1. What the characteristics of an ideal drought tolerant crop plant could be? Drought is considered as the most important environmental constraint affecting the plant growth and agricultural productivity worldwide. Climate change models predict drought to become worse. Drought stress could occur when the availability of water for plant is limited and the plant water demands exceed water supply. Many factors could lead to drought conditions, soil dryness, high evaporation, osmotic binding in saline
There are many enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur in cells through control mechanisms, which keep humans in chemical balance. There are two systems that have a major responsibility for regulating body chemistry known as the endocrine system and nervous system. The endocrine system depends on chemical messengers that flow in the bloodstream known as hormones. Hormones travel to target cells, where they connect with receptors that initiate chemical changes within cells. The nervous system depends
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are an important group of target-specific, small molecule enzyme inhibitors that have been studied extensively and represent an expanding group of effective, chemotherapeutic agents. (8) These agents, unlike other cytotoxic agents, can be administered on a daily basis because of their selectivity and favorable safety profile. However, from previously conducted studies, all TKIs appear to be transported by efflux transporters and some of these have also been found to inhibit
INTRODUCTION Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare tumor but it is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide and has increasingly become a public health problem over the past two decades [1]. In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased at an alarming rate, especially in developed countries. Thyroid cancer is the tenth most common cancer in Canada [2]. Furthermore, the incidence rate of thyroid cancer is increasing more rapidly than any other cancer in Canada [3, 4]. Typically
Optogenetics With the advent of this new technology doctors and psychiatrists may have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Well not exactly, but the state of the art new technology, Optogenetics, does offer an innovative new approach to the study of the brain, and, more importantly, the treatment of patients. The use of light had been surmised to be a valuable way to control cells many years prior by Francis Crick (Crick 2024), but no one had been able to pull all the pieces together
Locating the Dopamine Transporter via Immunostaining and Colocalization Taryn Nurse+, Kadija King+, Dasia McClain+, Jahmel Fowler+, Phyllis Freeman+, and Shawn Goodwin*. Life and Physical Science Department, Fisk University+ and Department of Biology. Meharry Medical College School of Graduate Studies and Research*, Nashville, TN, 37208. Introduction (Dasia) The focus of this experiment was to identify the Dopamine Active Transporter (DAT), known as SLC6A3, which is located on the 5th chromosome
Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of Americans everyday. As the years go on, diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent within America. Ongoing research is being done to gain valuable intellect on the disease and for the development of treatments for the disease. There are a few different causes of diabetes but each involves contact with insulin and insulin receptor on some level, since insulin and insulin receptor are involved in the pathway that regulates glucose levels within the