Communication between cells

In atherosclerosis and other heart diseases, the role of carotenoids as antioxidants is probable, but for these types of diseases and also for other degenerative diseases such as cancers, non-antioxidant activities constitute other possible prevention mechanisms. These activities are, for example, stimulation of gap junction communications between cells, and the induction of detoxifying enzymes. The... 

Gap junctions provide electrical communication between cells, forming a functional syncytium Myogenic... 

The existence of tissues implies that some cohesive force or stracture holds the constituent cells together. In some cases, this also provides communication between cells to achieve coordination within the tissue. There are three classes of such intercellular junctions ... 

Produces an adverse change in the structure or function of the nervous system following exposure to a chemical or physical agent A chemical used to communicate between cells of the nervous system... 

The effect of the release of any neurotransmitter depends on the type of receptor that it binds. One challenge in understanding serotonergic function in the brain is that at least 18 subtypes of serotonin receptors have so far been found, each with its own mechanism of action. Scientists have debated the reasons for this extreme number of types of receptor for one neurotransmitter (serotonin outnumbers most other neurotransmitters in this regard). It has been suggested that this diversity allows for more complicated signaling between brain cells that could not occur with just one or two receptor types. As a result, communication between cells is not simply... 

We currently know of various forms of communication between cells (fig. 3.1) ... 

Signaling molecules for the communication between cells are known as hormones. Hormones that are proteins and regulate cell proliferation are known as growth factors. 

Messenger substances derived from phospholipids can also function as hormones and serve for communication between cells. An important extracellular messenger substance formed from phospholipids is lysophosphatidic acid (l-acyl-sn-glycerine-3-phos-phate). Lysophosphatidic acid (lysophosphatidic acid, LPA) is released by platelets and other cells and reaches its target cells via the circulation. As a product of the blood clotting process, LPA is an abimdant constituent of serum, where it is found in an albu-min-boimd form. 

Turin L, Warner AE Carbon dioxide reversibly abolishes ionic communication between cells of early amphibian embryo. Nature 1978 270 56-57. 

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