Cell Communication

The “Cellular Internet”

• All multicellular organisms must “communicate and cooperate” to
maintain homeostasis
• Science has identified universal (meaning ALL life) mechanisms of
cell-to-cell communication.

• Communication in cells is similar to communication in general. Cells communicate by sending/receiving signals and then
converting the signals into a response
 Communication Methods
• Cell Signaling occurs using chemical messengers (proteins, steroids, electrical impulses, etc) that
pass from one cell to another
1. Local signaling occurs over short distances
• Ex: Cell-Cell Recognition Proteins attached to cell exterior; glycolipids and glycoproteins
(e.g. blood type proteins); cells must TOUCH at least temporarily
• Ex: Local regulators (chem signals from the neighboring cells); communication between
cells in the same area
2. Long distance signaling occurs over larger distances
• Ex: Hormones (chemical messengers in the form of proteins or steroids) are put into the
blood and travel through the body until they reach the target cell
 LOCAL SIGNALING EXAMPLES
• Transport between cells
– cell junctions are protein tunnels directly connecting adjacent cells (called gap
junctions in animal cells & plasmodesmata in plants); allow material to pass through
(e.g. chem signals or water) and be shared
Plasma membranes

Gap junctions Plasmodesmata

between animal cells between plant cells

Figure 11.3 (a) Cell junctions. Both animals and plants have cell junctions that allow molecules
to pass readily between adjacent cells without crossing plasma membranes.
 LOCAL SIGNALING EXAMPLES
• Cell to Cell Recognition: Cell “ID badges” (glycoproteins and glycolipids) are used to identify cells
that belong; cells without the proper identification are attacked as invaders; part of immune
response
• “ID badges” are membrane bound cell surface molecules that are checked by membrane bound
receptor proteins on the immune system cells

Figure 11.3 (b) Cell-cell recognition. Two cells in an animal may communicate by interaction
between molecules protruding from their surfaces.
 LOCAL SIGNALING EXAMPLES
- Local Regulators: Chemical signals used to communicate with neighboring cells within a tissue,
only work over a short distance
- Paracrine signaling communicates with all cells surrounding and coordinates efforts (e.g.
growth factors are released to stimulate mitosis in all cells near a wound to promote healing)
- Synaptic signaling occurs when the signal is directed to only one neighbor cell (e.g.
neurotransmitters pass from one neuron to the next to send a signal to the brain)

Local signaling (Left: Paracrine, Right: Synaptic)

Target cell Electrical signal

along nerve cell
triggers release of
neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter
Secretory diffuses across
vesicle synapse

Local regulator
diffuses through Target cell
extracellular fluid is stimulated
 Paracrine signaling
 Cell-Cell communication

 Source: Paracrine factors(local chemical messengers)

 Competent cells-Signal receptors

 Fast triggers (seconds or milliseconds)

 Some Important Paracrine Factors
Sr. No Type of paracrine factor Induced Response Affinity/Receptors

1 Fibroblasts growth factors (FGF) Induce cell division Cell Heparin sulfate proteoglycans
proliferation & differentiation
Tissue repair

2 Hedgehog protein family Induction of cell types and the Transmembrane patched receptors-Smoothened
creation of tissue boundaries protein complex
Spermatogeneis
Post-natal bone growth

3 Wnt family ( cysteine- Spindle orientation  Frizzled family of proteins

rich glycoproteins) Cell polarity
Cell adhesion

4 TGF-β superfamily Gastrulation Type I or Type II receptors

(Transforming Growth Factor) Axis symmetry of the body
Organ morphogenesis
 LONG DISTANCE SIGNALING EXAMPLES
Long-distance signaling

Endocrine cell Blood

vessel

 Multicellular organisms (plant and animal) to

 Coordination effort between distant cells

Hormone travels
in bloodstream
 Slower method of communication to target cells

Target
cell

(c) Hormonal signaling. Specialized

endocrine cells secrete hormones
into body fluids, often the blood.
Hormones may reach virtually all
body cells.
 Pheromones
A pheromone  is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response 

Sr. No Pheromone Type Function Organism

1  Alarm To trigger flight and aggression under attack Animals, plants

Plants avoid grazing (tannins)

2 Trail To indicate food trail and presence of food or to induce Ants, wasps
a repellent behavior
Indication of a new breeding site/nest
3 Sex Availability of the female for breeding Bees, wasps, bacteria
Competence induction in bacteria and verteberates
Reproductive monopoly