Question

1. Which of the following is the best option to reduce signaling that is regulated by a PROTEIN hormone?

1. Mutate the enzymes involved in the protein hormone synthesis pathway to block their function.
2. Mutate the enzymes involved in the protein hormone synthesis pathway to increase their reactivity.
3. Mutate the protein hormone gene to make it non-functional.
4. Mutate the protein hormone gene to make it more highly expressed.

1. b What of the following are mechanisms to turn a signaling pathway OFF? (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY).

1. Degradation of 2^nd messengers
2. Phosphorylation of downstream targets
3. Transcription of target genes
4. Internalization of receptors

Answer 1

a. Mutate the enzymes involved in the protein hormone synthesis pathway to block their function

b. Internalization of receptors, degradation of second messengers and phosphorylation of downstream targets.

Ligands are termed first messengers, while receptors are the signal transducers, which then activate primary effectors. Such effectors are often linked to second messengers, which can activate secondary effectors, and so on. Initiating phosphorylation signaling cascades of downstream cytoplasmic molecules that facilitate various cellular processes such as cell differentiation and metabolism.