Exam 9: Cell Communication

A researcher is working to generate a new cancer drug.Thus far,he has identified a compound that can reduce the size of tumors in the lung.However,in order for the drug to work,the lung tumor has to be small.In addition,the tumor cannot have metastasized (spread to other areas of the body).Furthermore,he knows that the drug acts to prohibit the signaling from one tumor cell to another tumor cell.Given the above information,this new drug prohibits:

G protein-coupled receptors are the largest family of cell surface receptors.Each receptor passes through the plasma membrane how many times?

What is the mechanism by which binding of testosterone to the testosterone receptor leads to upregulated gene transcription?

How are receptor tyrosine kinases and steroid hormone receptors similar?

A mutation in the DNA-binding domain of a steroid hormone receptor is most likely to affect what aspect of receptor function?

Some cancers are caused by the overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs).It is known that RTK signaling pathways commonly stimulate cell division.Why would the overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases lead to cancer development?

In response to injury,cell fragments called platelets get activated to induce clotting.Activated platelets release factors that can in turn bind to specific membrane receptors on nearby cells.What type of signaling would this be considered?

A mutation that affects Ca⁺⁺ binding to calmodulin is most likely to interfere with what aspect of a signal transduction pathway?

Many receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)pathways lead to the activation of Ras.To activate Ras,it is necessary to recruit a guanine nucleotide exchange factor to the plasma membrane,because Ras is a membrane associated protein.Guanine nucleotide exchange factors,such as SOS,stimulate the exchange of GDP for GTP.However,SOS cannot bind directly to most RTKs.The protein Grb2 has a domain that can bind to phosphorylated tyrosines,and another domain that can bind to SOS.Therefore,Grb2 can bind to active RTKs and recruit SOS to the plasma membrane.Grb2 is an example of what kind of signaling molecule?

If the effector protein phospholipase C failed to cleave phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂),the action of what enzyme would be affected?

What signaling pathway commonly makes use of a G protein to transduce the signal?

You are interested in developing an inhibitor for the estrogen receptor.You have identified a molecule that is small and hydrophilic.In a test tube,this inhibitor binds tightly to the estrogen receptor,and inhibits the interaction of the receptor with estrogen.Do you think that this molecule will be an effective inhibitor of the estrogen receptor in cells?

What is similar about G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)?

These molecules can directly convert extracellular signals into intracellular signals.

What is the function of a protein kinase?

Ste5 binds to MAPKKK,MAPKK,and MAPK to organize the kinase cascade.What type of signaling molecule is Ste5?

Leptin is a circulating hormone that is produced by fat cells and plays a role in body metabolism and obesity.It normally binds to receptors in the brain and inhibits appetite.Studies have demonstrated that when obese mice that are leptin deficient are injected with leptin they quickly lose their excess weight.Interestingly,however,many overweight people have high levels of leptin in their bloodstream.Why do you think that the high levels of leptin in obese individuals are insufficient to curb their appetite?

In the nitric oxide signaling pathway,nitric oxide activates an enzyme that can convert many molecules of GTP into molecules of cGMP.cGMP is a small molecule that can diffuse through the cytoplasm and bind to an enzyme called protein kinase G (PKG).Binding of cGMP to PKG leads to a change in the confirmation of PKG that leads to its activation.What type of signaling molecule is cGMP?

Addison's disease is a disorder that results from a reduction in production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.Individuals with Addison's disease suffer from a variety of systemic symptoms including: muscle weakness,fever,issues with the gastrointestinal tract,and increased tanning.Considering this information,what type of signaling do you think that glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids stimulate?

Using a specific chemical,a cell biologist has blocked one type of channel-linked receptor in a lab rat's liver tissue.What was the likely mechanism of the chemical she used?