Thanoshi Balasuriya
10/20/13
Author: unknown; based on materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine, via Newswise.
Published: October 20th, 2013
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131020160500.htm
Summary:
Peter Devreotes, a professor and director at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, and other co-workers found out that cell movement caused by the cytoskeleton isn't only organized by the messenger proteins on the outside of the cell; the movement is reliant on the proteins. Before, it was thought that the movement depended on the sensor proteins. However, through the experiments carried out by the team at John Hopkins, the data showed that the cell kept moving even though it was random movement when only the sensor proteins were eliminated, but when only the messenger proteins were inhibited, the cell did not move anywhere. This showed that the sensor proteins tell the messenger proteins to direct the cytoskeleton to move in a certain direction, but the messenger proteins were what initially cause the movement whether it is random or controlled by sensor proteins. This discovery could lead to stopping cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one organ to another part of the body, since scientists could now create medicines to paralyze the messenger proteins of the cancer cell instead of only the sensor proteins in order to stop cell movement.
Connections:
This article connects to our study of cell structure. We have discussed the cytoskeleton which is a structure of the cell directly inside from the cell membrane which gives the cell some support and also helps the cell move. Cell movement is important for the cell to be able to reach other parts of the organism's body or in order for the cell to interact with other cells. Also, we briefly talked about the different kinds of proteins on or in the cell membrane which can be used for transport or other jobs, such as marker proteins used for self recognition, receptor proteins used for receiving messages, and channel proteins used for regulating or transporting the large charged particles into and out of the cell through the semi-permeable cell membrane. In this article, the sensor proteins and the messenger proteins are types of receptor proteins and they communicate with the cell's surroundings as well as with each other, or in the case of the messenger proteins, the cytoskeleton.
Showing posts with label cell sensors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell sensors. Show all posts
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Sunday, October 21, 2012
G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the Nobel Prize
Ashutosh Jogalekar
Published October 10, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/10/10/g-protein-coupled-receptors-gpcrs-win-2012-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/
Summary: Up until the late 20th century how cells can sense their environment was a mystery. Scientists theorized that our cells had some sort of sensors on their surfaces. Since then, many important discoveries regarding cell sensors have been made. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been studying these cell sensors for over 40 years. Lefkowitz started off using radioactive isotopes to trace cell receptors in the early late 60's and then again in the 80's, but his most important discovery happened earlier this year. This specific discovery deals with G-protein coupled receptors, receptors that sense hormones and other substances. Similar to the light, odor, and flavor sensors we have in our eyes, nose and mouths, our bodies have internal protein sensors that help our body recognize chemicals like dopamine, adrenalin, serotonin and histamine. Roughly half of all medications affect these G protein receptors. Of course, scientists knew that our body reacts to these substances, but they didn't fully understand how the receptors in our brain recognize them and convey signals. Lefkowitz and Kobilka discovered that these receptors function in the same manner as light receptors in our eyes. Their most recent breakthrough came when they took a picture of the exact moment one of the adrenalin receptors was activated and sent signals into the cell.
Connection: This directly connects to our unit about cells, specifically about proteins. We discussed how protein receptors in cells send signals, exactly what this article is about. We've also been learning about how proteins contribute to chemical reactions within our cells. The protein receptors discussed in this article enable our bodies to function and carry out extremely complex chemical reactions.
Published October 10, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/10/10/g-protein-coupled-receptors-gpcrs-win-2012-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/
Summary: Up until the late 20th century how cells can sense their environment was a mystery. Scientists theorized that our cells had some sort of sensors on their surfaces. Since then, many important discoveries regarding cell sensors have been made. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been studying these cell sensors for over 40 years. Lefkowitz started off using radioactive isotopes to trace cell receptors in the early late 60's and then again in the 80's, but his most important discovery happened earlier this year. This specific discovery deals with G-protein coupled receptors, receptors that sense hormones and other substances. Similar to the light, odor, and flavor sensors we have in our eyes, nose and mouths, our bodies have internal protein sensors that help our body recognize chemicals like dopamine, adrenalin, serotonin and histamine. Roughly half of all medications affect these G protein receptors. Of course, scientists knew that our body reacts to these substances, but they didn't fully understand how the receptors in our brain recognize them and convey signals. Lefkowitz and Kobilka discovered that these receptors function in the same manner as light receptors in our eyes. Their most recent breakthrough came when they took a picture of the exact moment one of the adrenalin receptors was activated and sent signals into the cell.
Connection: This directly connects to our unit about cells, specifically about proteins. We discussed how protein receptors in cells send signals, exactly what this article is about. We've also been learning about how proteins contribute to chemical reactions within our cells. The protein receptors discussed in this article enable our bodies to function and carry out extremely complex chemical reactions.
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