Membrane Signal Transduction

Membrane Signal Transduction Membrane Transport Protein Menaquinones-n Meniere s Disease Mesangial Cells... 

Mahama, P. A., and Linderman, J. J., Monte Carlo simulations of membrane signal transduction events Effect of receptor blockers on G Protein activation. Ann. Biomed. Eng. (1994b) (in press). 

AA is the substrate for most eicosanoid mediators produced by mammalian cells. It is also present in large amounts in phosphatidylinositol, a PL that functions in membrane signal transduction. The need for AA is probably the main reason why LA is essential for health. PUFA, especially of the n-3 type, are preferentially incorporated at the 2-position of most cell membrane PL and are considered to play an important role in both cell membrane integrity and function. Cellular stimulation leads to activation of phospholipase A, followed by mobilization of the FA on the 2-position of cell membrane PL. The types of these FA determine, to a great extent, the types of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products. 

In this chapter we describe some examples of structures of membrane-bound proteins known to high resolution, and outline how the elucidation of these structures has contributed to understanding the specific function of these proteins, as well as some general principles for the construction of membrane-bound proteins. In Chapter 13 we describe some examples of the domain organization of receptor families and their associated proteins involved in signal transduction through the membrane. 

Depletion of ATP in the cells prevents maintenance of the membrane potential, inhibits the functioning of ion pumps, and attenuates cellular signal transduction (e.g., formation of second messengers such as inositol phos phates or cyclic AMP). A marked ATP depletion ultimately impairs the activ-itv of the cell and leads to ceil death. 

Cells make use of many different types of membranes. All cells have a cytoplasmic membrane, or plasma membrane, that functions (in part) to separate the cytoplasm from the surroundings. In the early days of biochemistry, the plasma membrane was not accorded many functions other than this one of partition. We now know that the plasma membrane is also responsible for (1) the exclusion of certain toxic ions and molecules from the cell, (2) the accumulation of cell nutrients, and (3) energy transduction. It functions in (4) cell locomotion, (5) reproduction, (6) signal transduction processes, and (7) interactions with molecules or other cells in the vicinity. 

Airother interesting facet of lipid anchors is that they are transient. Lipid anchors can be reversibly attached to and detached from proteins. This provides a switching device for altering the affinity of a protein for the membrane. Reversible lipid anchoring is one factor in the control of signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells (Chapter 34). 

AQP4 is the predominant water channel in the central nervous system (CNS), where it is involved in maintaining brain water balance and neural signal transduction. It is mainly expressed in astroglial cells, which support the neurons. Outside the CNS, AQP4 has been found in the basolateral membrane of renal principal cells as well as in various glandular epithelia, airways, skeletal muscle, stomach, retina and ear. 

The regulation of the total peripheral resistance also involves the complex interactions of several mechanisms. These include baroreflexes and sympathetic nervous system activity response to neurohumoral substances and endothelial factors myogenic adjustments at the cellular level, some mediated by ion channels and events at the cellular membrane and intercellular events mediated by receptors and mechanisms for signal transduction. As examples of some of these mechanisms, there are two major neural reflex arcs (Fig. 1). Baroreflexes are derived from high-pressure barorecep-tors in the aortic arch and carotid sinus and low-pressure cardiopulmonary baroreceptors in ventricles and atria. These receptors respond to stretch (high pressure) or... 

Researchers found that NAD serves as a substrate in poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, a reaction important for DNA repair processes. In addition, it takes part in mono (ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions that are involved in endogenous regulation of many aspects of signal transduction and membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells. 

The VACM-1 receptor is a membrane-associated protein with a single putative transmembrane domain that binds selectively AVP (XD — 2 nM), but cannot discriminate between VXR and V2R analogues. It is expressed in endothelial and medullary collecting duct cells and upon stimulation by AVP. It induces a mobilization of cytosolic-free Ca2+, decreases cAMP production and inhibits cellular growth via MAPK phosphorylation and p53 expression. The mechanism of action and physiological functions of this new receptor are not well understood, but it seems to participate in the regulation of AVP induced signal transduction pathways or of a yet unidentified peptide. 

The smooth muscle cell does not respond in an all-or-none manner, but instead its contractile state is a variable compromise between diverse regulatory influences. While a vertebrate skeletal muscle fiber is at complete rest unless activated by a motor nerve, regulation of the contractile activity of a smooth muscle cell is more complex. First, the smooth muscle cell typically receives input from many different kinds of nerve fibers. The various cell membrane receptors in turn activate different intracellular signal-transduction pathways which may affect (a) membrane channels, and hence, electrical activity (b) calcium storage or release or (c) the proteins of the contractile machinery. While each have their own biochemically specific ways, the actual mechanisms are for the most part known only in outline. 

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