Biochemistry › Second Messengers
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Which of the following is not a second messenger?
G-protein
Calcium
cAMP
cGMP
diacylglycerol
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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)
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.