Second Messengers

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Biochemistry › Second Messengers

Questions 1 - 10
1

In a G protein-coupled receptor, the activation of an inhibitory G protein will lead to which of the following?

The decrease in cAMP

The activation of adenylyl cyclase

Downstream activation of PKA

Adenyl cyclase hydrolysis of ATP

An inactivated alpha subunit of the G protein

Explanation

With an inhibitory G protein, the binding of a ligand and stimulation of the receptor will activate the alpha subunit of the G protein, however since it is an inhibitory G protein, it will not go on to activate adenyl cyclase. With no activation of Adenyl cyclase it will lead to decrease cAMP and other secondary messengers.

2

Which of the following is not associated with signal transduction pathways?

Synthesis of beta-hydroxybutyrate

Dissociation of G protein subunits

Breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate

Activation of protein kinase A

Activation of phosphodiesterases

Explanation

In this question, we're asked to identify a statement that is not connected with intracellular signal transduction pathways (STP). To do so, we'll need to look at each answer choice individually.

Upon binding of a ligand to a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the conformational change of this receptor is transmitted to a G-protein that is on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. This causes the individual sub-units of the G-protein to dissociate from each other, which then goes on to activate other components of the signal transduction pathway.

Activation of GPCR can also result in a signal transduction pathway in which a particular intracellular enzyme is activated. This enzyme is responsible for cleaving a specific fatty acid off of certain phospholipids from the plasma membrane. The fatty acid cleaved off is called phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, which acts as a second messenger in STP's.

Another consequence of the activation of certain GPCR's is the activation of an enzyme called protein kinase A (PKA). This enzyme then goes on to phosphorylate other kinase enzymes. The end result is amplification of the entire signal.

One of the common second messengers in STP's is cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP). One of the mechanisms in place to turn STP's off is to degrade these cyclic nucleotides. The class of enzymes responsible for this is called phosphodiesterases.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a ketone body that forms when excess acetyl-CoA is present. This molecule is not involved in signal transduction pathways.

3

How does cAMP regulate the action of Protein kinase A (PKA)?

Four molecules of cAMP bind to PKA and dissociate it into 2 catalytic subunits and 2 regulatory subunits

cAMP phosphorylates PKA which sets it into action.

cAMP is initially bound to PKA to prevent its action, and when it dissociates PKA is able to function

cAMP does not affect the action of PKA

Four molecules of cAMP bind only to the catalytic subunits of PKA which allows them to function

Explanation

The binding of four cAMP molecules to PKA dissociates it into two regulatory subunits and two catalytic subunits. The actual sites that the cAMP binds to, however, are allosteric sites - they are not directly on the regulatory sites or the catalytic sites.

4

Which of the following is not a second messenger?

G-protein

Calcium

cAMP

cGMP

diacylglycerol

Explanation

There are many types of second messengers including diacylglycerol, cAMP, cGMP, calcium, and inositol trisphosphate. However, a G-protein is part of a pathway that utilizes second messengers, but is not one itself.

5

Which of the following is not a direct function of cAMP?

I. Amplification of signal

II. Phosphorylation of molecules

III. Activation of kinases

II only

I only

I and III

I, II, and III

Explanation

cAMP is a second messenger molecule that activates several molecules. Second messenger molecules often amplify the original signal, allowing for the signal to travel all across the cell. One of the molecules activated by cAMP is protein kinase C (PKC). This molecule, as the name implies, is a kinase; therefore, it phosphorylates other molecules. Note that this is a function of protein kinase C, not a direct function of cAMP.

6

What is the function of the enzyme adenylate cyclase often seen in signal transduction pathways?

Conversion of ATP to cAMP

Conversion of ATP to ADP

Conversion of cAMP to ATP

Conversion of GTP to GDP

Conversion of GDP to GTP

Explanation

Often following the activation of a G protein, ATP is converted to the second messenger, cAMP, by adenylate cyclase. This propagates the amplification of the signal transduction.

7

How do diacylglycerol (DAG) and IP3 (inositol triphosphate) act as second messengers?

I. Phospholipase catalyses the formation of DAG and IP3 from PIP2 (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate)

II. IP3 increases intracellular calcium ion levels

III. DAG stimulates protein kinase C

IV. Protein kinase C activates protein kinases known as the MAP kinases

I, II, III, and IV

I and II

II, III, and IV

II and III

III and IV

Explanation

Phospholipase C catalyses the formation of DAG (diacylglycerol) and IP3 (inositol triphosphate) from PIP2 (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate). IP3 promotes the influx of calcium ions into the cytoplasm while DAG stimulates protein kinase C.

8

What is one of the main purposes of second messenger molecules?

They allow for signifiant amplification of a signal within a cell

They allow for the production of only one kind of molecule

They allow a single signal to cause endless, unceasing production of some final product

They allow ligands to bind to multiple types of receptors

They allow receptors to be receptive to multiple types of ligands

Explanation

When a ligand binds to its associated receptor, the signal is passed into the cell and on to a distinct final molecule (often DNA transcription factors). Second messengers allow for significant amplification of a single ligand/receptor signal in order to cause mass change within a cell, and therefore within the body.

9

Second messengers are __________ by receptor tyrosine kinase pathway and are __________ by voltage gated ion channels.

activated . . . not activated

activated . . . activated

not activated . . . activated

not activated . . . not activated

Explanation

Receptor tyrosine kinase pathway utilizes second messenger molecules to activate molecules in the cell that, subsequently, activate cellular mechanisms. Ion channels allow for flow of ions between membranes; they do not directly activate second messenger molecules.

10

What is the function of phospholipase C?

Converts phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) into diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3)

Converts diacylglycerol (DAG) into phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) and inositol triphosphate (IP3)

Converts inositol triphosphate (IP3) into phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) and diacylglycerol (DAG)

Forms phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) from diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3)

Forms diacylglycerol (DAG) from inositol triphosphate (IP3) and phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2)

Explanation

The function of phospholipase C is to cleave phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) into the two second messenger molecules, diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3). These can then act within signal transduction pathways to amplify ligand/receptor signals.

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