Republic of Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

University of Information Technology and Communications

Faculty of Biomedical Informatics
Department of Bioinformatics

Biology
Stage 1 / 1st Semester / Lecture 8

Cell Signaling and Communications

By
ALI ABDULQADER
Jan, 2023
1
Outlines

Introduction and definition of cell signaling

Importance of cell signaling
Types of cell signaling
Components of cell signaling
Signaling molecules
Cell-surface receptors types
Diseases related to cell signaling problems
 Introduction
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➢ Cells must be ready to receive and respond to essential signals in their

environment.
➢ These messages are often chemicals in the extracellular fluid (ECF).

Signaling by
Distant Locations
hormones

Signaling by
Nearby cells
cytokines

➢ The process of receiving these signs and signals is known as Cell Signaling.
 Cell Signaling Definition
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• Cell Signaling is the process by which cells communicate and interact between itself, each
other and with the environment to do and coordinate their activities.
• Cell Signaling is the communication of different group of cells and tissues and how one
group of cells inform another group of cells what to do.
• This communication is important and the basis for maintaining homeostasis, responding
to environmental changes, development, tissue repair, immunity and regulating various
physiological processes within an organism.
 Why do cells communicate with each other?
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1. Coordination of activities 2. Development and 3. Response to

and functions differentiation environmental stimuli

• In multicellular organism
• During embryonic
cells need to work together • Communications allow the
development and over
to perform different cells to sense ad respond to
organism’s life, cell signaling
functions. external environment changes
and communication allow the
• Communication allows such as lack of nutrients or
cells to develop and
different types of cells to temperature changes enabling
differentiate to become
coordinate their activities the cells to adapt these
specialized cells like nerve or
and functions in changes.
muscle cells.
multicellular organism
 Why do cells communicate with each other?
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4. Immune system 6. Maintenance of tissue

5. Repair and regeneration
functions homoeostasis

• Cells of the immune system

• Cells within tissues and
must communicate • Signaling pathways guide
organs need to maintain a
effectively to identify and processes like cell migration,
balance in their activities to
respond to pathogens or proliferation, and tissue
ensure proper organ function.
abnormal cells. remodeling during wound
• Communication helps regulate
• Signaling pathways play a healing and regeneration in
processes such as cell growth,
crucial role in the activation response to injuries and
proliferation, and apoptosis to
of immune cells and the damages.
maintain tissue homeostasis.
production of antibodies.
 Types of Cell Signaling
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1. Autocrine Cell Signaling: Cells produce signaling molecules (ligands) that bind to
receptors on their own surface, affecting their own activity. (signals target the cells itself).
2. Paracrine Cell Signaling: Signals (ligands) released by one cell into the extracellular
fluid ,affecting nearby target cells in the immediate vicinity.
3. Endocrine Cell Signaling: Signals (hormones) are released by endocrine glands into the
bloodstream, affecting distant cells throughout the body.
4. Juxtacrine Cell Signaling: Signals target adjacent (touching) cells. These signals
transmitted by cell membranes via protein or lipid components.
 1. Autocrine Cell Signaling
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Examples: Response of immune cells to foreign antigens.

 2. Paracrine Cell Signaling
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Examples: nerve-nerve cells, nerve-muscle cells

 3. Endocrine Cell Signaling
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Examples: Insulin hormone secreted by beta cells and glucagon secreted by alpha
cells in pancreas.
 4. Juxtacrine Cell Signaling
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 Components of Cell Signaling Pathways
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1. Signaling molecules: These are molecules that carry the signaling information. They can be proteins, peptides, small
molecules, or gases such as hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, and cytokines.

2. Receptors: Proteins on the cell surface or within the cell that bind to specific signaling molecules, initiating a response.

3. Transduction Pathway: is a series of molecular events (proteins) that relay the signal from the receptor to the
target inside the cell.

4. Second Messengers: are small molecules that transmit the signal from the cell membrane to the interior of the cell
such as calcium ions (Ca2+).

5. Protein Kinase: are a group of enzymes that phosphorylate other proteins by transferring a phosphate group from
ATP to specific amino acids in the target proteins.

6. Cellular Responses: The ultimate outcomes triggered by the activation of the signaling pathway. This can include
changes in gene expression, alterations in cell metabolism, cell division, apoptosis, or changes in cell behavior.
 Steps of Cell Signaling Pathway
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 Types of Signaling Molecules
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1.Hormones
• Hormones are signaling molecules secreted by endocrine gland such as
thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas glands.

• Hormones transmitted by blood stream to the target cells.

• Types of hormones can be including:

➢ Peptide hormone like insulin: regulate body energy.

➢ Steroid hormone like estrogen: developing female characteristics.

➢ Amino acid-derived hormones like thyroxin: metabolism.

 Endocrine Glands System
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 2. Neurotransmitter
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• Neurotransmitter are chemical messenger.

• Their job is carry chemical signals from one
neuron to target cell that could be another
neuron cell, muscle or gland.
• The communication of nerves cells between
each other is called “Synaptic”.
• Examples of neurotransmitters:
➢ Dopamine: pleasure and emotional.
➢ Serotonin: Mood, sleep, and memory.
➢ Acetylcholine: Muscle movement and cardiac
contractions.
 3. Cytokines
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• Small proteins that are crucial in controlling the

growth and activity of blood and immune system
cells.
• Once cytokines released they activate and signal
the immune system to its job.
• Overproduction of cytokines can lead to excess
inflammation and autoimmune disease.
• Examples:
➢ Interferon: attack viruses and cancer cells.
➢ Interleukins: play roles in activation and differentiation
of immune cells.
 Cell-Surface Receptors Types
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1. G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): are a large and diverse family of cell surface
receptors that play a crucial role in transmitting signals from the extracellular environment
to the inside of the cell.
2. Enzyme-linked receptors: are a second major type of cell-surface receptor. They were
recognized initially through their role in responses to extracellular signal proteins that
promote the growth, proliferation, differentiation, or survival of cells in animal tissues.
3. Ion Channel Receptors: Receptors that regulate ion flow across the cell membrane in
response to signaling molecules.
 G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
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 Ion-channel receptors
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 Diseases related to cell signaling issues
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• Cancer
➢ Deregulated cell signaling is a hallmark of cancer. Mutations or aberrant activation of
signaling pathways, such as the Ras/MAPK pathway or PI3K/Akt pathway, can lead to
uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation.
• Diabetes
➢ In diabetes, there is often impaired signaling in insulin pathways. Insulin resistance, where
cells do not respond properly to insulin, leads to elevated blood glucose levels.
• Neurological Disorders
➢ Diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's involve disruptions in signaling pathways
within neurons. Abnormalities in neurotransmitter signaling can contribute to the
development and progression of these disorders.
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 Diseases related to cell signaling issues
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• Cardiovascular Disease
➢ Conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis are associated with aberrant signaling
in pathways that regulate blood vessel tone, endothelial function, and inflammatory
responses.
• Autoimmune Disease
➢ Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus involve dysregulated immune responses.
Abnormal signaling in immune cells can lead to an attack on the body's own tissues.
Thank You