Signalling mechanism of

hormones

Dr. Sadaf Mumtaz

27-1-11
 Broad Classification (Structure)

Hydrophillic Lipophillic

Proteins, peptide hormones & Steroid and thyroid hormones

catecholamines

Activate genes on binding with

Primarily act through receptors in the nucleus
second messenger system

Largely bound to plasma proteins

Circulate mainly dissolved

in the plasma
 Synthesis of hormones
Polypeptides and protein hormones ---- Size 3AA to 200AA
 Steroid hormones
Cholesterol esters stored in cytoplasmic vacuoles can be mobilized for
steroid synthesis
Location for different types of hormone receptors
 Amine Hormones
Formed by the action of enzymes in the
cytoplasmic compartment of glandular
cells
Plasma Thyroxine binding
Thyroid gland Thyroglobulin
globulin
Epinephrine and nor epinephrine
 What are trophic hormones
A hormone that has its primary function the regulation of
hormone secretion by another endocrine gland

What is
Permissiveness
One hormone must be present in adequate amounts for the full
exertion of another hormones effect.
Synergism
The combined effect is greater then the sum of the separate effects.
Antagonism
When one hormone causes the loss of another hormones
receptors, reducing the effectiveness of the second hormone
Onset of hormone secretion and action
 Feedback control of hormone
secretion
Negative feedback
Through hormone or one of its product
Controlled variable

Positive feedback
Cyclic variations
Mechanism of activation of GPCRs
Enzyme linked hormone receptors
Second messenger mechanisms
 Activation mechanism of ECs
Ca2+

SOC
TRPC1,4
PLC
RhoGDI-P
GPCR PIP2
Agonist
RTK PKC RhoA-GTP MT
dissassembly

IP3 DAG
Actin
Ca2+ CP1-17 CP1-17-P polymerization
PP2A
CamKinase II Stress fibre
ROC Ca2+ calmodulin formation
Rhokinase
TRPC3,6,7
Ca2+CaM Inactive
IP3R
Phosphorylated
ER MLCP (PP1c-
Inactive Active MLCP MYPT1)
MLCK MLCK
Phosphorylation

MLC-P MLC

Dephosphorylation
MLCP
 Measurement of hormone
concentration in the Blood
Radioimmunoassay
Radioisotope Antibody Hormone

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

(ELISA)
Enzyme Antibody Hormone
 Radioimmunoassay
Antibody
(Hormone + Radioisotope)
+ +
Fluid from animal
containing Competition for antibody binding
hormone
Equilibrium

Antibody complex separated

Quantity of radioactive hormone complex is

measured by radioactive counting technique
ELISA
Hormones
a) are secreted by exocrine glands.
b) act only on neighboring cells.
c) are always peptides.
d) are secreted into the blood.

Hormone receptors:
a) have a high affinity for their natural ligand.
b) are always linked to G proteins.
c) are lipids.
d) are always located in the plasma membrane of their target cells

G protein activation:
a) leads to changes in gene expression.
b) always causes an increase in cyclic AMP.
c) leads to the generation of second messengers.
d) always results in a decrease in cyclic AMP

Steroid hormones such as aldosterone:

a) bind to nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression.
b) activate G protein cascades.
c) activate receptors on the cell membrane.
d) directly regulate protein synthesis
Pituitary hormones and its control
by hypothalamus
 Hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting
hormones control anterior pituitary secretion

TRH
GnRH
CRH
GHRH
GHIH
PIH
 If the pituitary gland is removed from its
normal position beneath hypothalamus
and transplanted to some other part of the
body
What will happen to its rate of secretion of
different hormones?
Thank you