Synopsis: Membranes and their

Components in Cell Signalling

1. Membranes as Barriers

Need transduction mechanisms

(receptors: in contact with both external
and internal environment)
• allows selectivity in responses

Exploitation of Barrier
• Ca2+ signalling, LGICs – exploit
impermeability of membranes to
generate transient signals
 2. Signal Organisation

Membranes keep receptors and

signalling proteins with lipid anchors
concentrated, and restrict movement
to 2 dimensions

• Useful surfaces for the assembly of

signalling complexes – dynamic
recruitment (protein-protein or
protein-lipid interaction)

• Sequestration of signalling molecules

in the absence of a stimulus
 3. Membrane Fluidity

Mobility of membrane proteins allows

interaction with other signalling
molecules

- RTK monomers; GPCRs, G-proteins,

small GTPases, GRKs.
 4. Signalling intermediates

• Lipids as signalling molecules

O
O
O
• Lipids as precursors of second OH
P OH
messengers

O
O

O
O
P P
• Membrane-localised signalling P OH
enzymes

O
O
O
OH
P OH

OH P P
 5. Signal termination

• Role of membrane proteins (or

proteins recruited to membrane) in
signal inactivation
- ion pumps, enzymes, GAPs

• Internalisation (endocytosis) of
receptors

Jason Zack at en.wikipedia

BIOL21141 Exam
Remote; open book.

2 hours long, with a further 15 min time window for submission via Blackboard

Exam paper consists of 5 short-note questions (section A; no choice; 50% of marks) and 1
essay (section B; choose from 5 different essay titles; 50% of marks)

Short-note questions: ~12min each.

The essay should be a maximum of 2 pages.

References are not required.
Figures are optional and must be self-generated (hand-drawn is fine).

Example paper is on Blackboard;

Heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) express beta-1 adrenoceptors, which are
coupled to the Gs G protein. Stimulation of these receptors with adrenaline results in
phosphorylation of calcium channels in the plasma membrane, leading to more
calcium ions entering the cells from the extracellular fluid. This increases the force of
contraction of the cell.

a) Explain how activation of the Gs G protein leads to phosphorylation of the calcium

channel [3 marks]

Cardiomyocytes also expresses M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which are

coupled to the G protein Gi. Activation of these receptors by acetylcholine reduces
the contraction of the cardiomyocyte.

b) Explain TWO key ways in which signalling via the Gi protein differs from Gs [2
marks]

c) What would happen to the responses to adrenaline and acetylcholine if the cells
were exposed to cholera toxin? [5 marks]
Tips for exam essays
Answer the question that’s been set

Answer the whole question, not just part of it

Don’t include irrelevant information

Avoid vagueness – try to illustrate with specific examples.

Include information from additional reading if you have done any but make sure you
include all the relevant core information from the lectures and recordings.

Structure your essay properly – provide a brief introduction and a conclusion.

Only include figures if they enhance your essay – they’re not just there for decoration

Try to PLAN your essay – spend a few minutes noting down what you will include and
where (including the introduction and conclusion) before you start to write it.
Essay: Explain the importance of interactions between
proteins and membrane lipids in
cellular signalling.
Essay: Following stimulation, many signalling proteins relocate from the cytoplasm to the
plasma membrane. Using detailed examples, explain how this re-localisation is
accomplished (60% marks), and how it contributes to efficient signal transduction (40%
marks).