The document discusses cell signaling and the JAK-STAT pathway. It notes that JAK-STAT signaling involves signal reception by a receptor, signal transduction through a series of protein phosphorylation steps, and a cellular response. STAT3 is constitutively activated in some cancers and promotes cell survival through upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes.
2. Genetics: Studies of genes, heredity, and variations in organisms
Gene: a unit of heredity
Major Points
Genes reside within chromosomes like beads on a string.
Genes on the same chromosome are linked, but genes on
different chromosomes assorted independently.
New genes can be identified using linkage analysis based on
recombination frequencies between known genes.
Genes can become mutated to produce different phenotypes.
Genes determine the activities of enzymes responsible for
producing phenotypic traits (the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis).
The study of genes therefore is not just the study of inherited
traits, but also the study of cellular functions.
3. The One gene-one enzyme
hypothesis
Nobel Prize, 1958
George Beadle Edward Tatum
9. Transduction
Signal transduction converts the change in the receptor to a form that can
bring about a cellular response. This might involve a series of steps that
alters and amplifies the change.
Reception
The cell targeted by a signal has a receptor molecule complementary to
the signal molecule or ligand. The ligand fits like a key in a lock and
triggers a change in the receptor molecule.
Three stages of
signaling process:
Reception
Transduction
Response
Activation of certain enzyme
Rearrangement of the cytoskeleton
Activation of specific genes
Response
This can be any of many
cellular activities, such as:
12. When the signal molecule binds to the receptor,
the receptor becomes activated.
15. Amplification of signals
Protein kinases are important links in
Many signal-transduction pathways.
One kinase may activate many molecules
of the next type of kinases in the chain,
thus amplifying the signal, until the last
kinase activates many protein molecules
that carries out the final cellular response.
16. Non-protein molecules that act as intermediates e.g., cyclic AMP, calcium ions etc.
Second messengers
Calcium ion also acts as second messengers
cAMP-mediated
Signal Transduction
17. Cytoplasmic response to a signal
Ultimate effect:
Cellular response, such as-
Alteration of metabolism
Modulation of gene activity
Rearrangement of cytoskeleton
18. Signaling pathways with a multiplicity of steps have two important benefits
Protein kinase might activate a gene and
trigger the synthesis of a new protein
B. Specificity of response
A. Signal amplification
23. Small protein molecules produced
by mammalian cells
Involved in cell-to-cell
communication network
Control division, differentiation and
death of mammalian cells
Essential for the development and
function of the immune system
Function in redundant and/or
pleiotropic fashion
Cytokines
A
B C
D
27. Stat Recognition Sequences in
Cytokine Responsive Genes
N3-GAS
AAG NNN CTT
TTC NNN GAA
AAN NNN NTT
TTN NNN NAA
N5-GAS
Homodimers and
Heterodimers of
All Stats
N4-GAS
AAG NNNN CTT
TTC NNNN GAA
AAN NNNN NTT
TTN NNNN NAA
N6-GAS
Homodimer of Stat6
28. Receptor Inactivation
- Receptor Antagonist
- Decoy Receptor
- Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase (PTP)
- Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)
- Proteolytic Degradation
Negative Regulation of Jak-Stat Signaling
Jak Inactivation
- Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase
Stat Inactivation
- Protein Inhibitor of Activated Stat (PIAS)
- Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling
- Proteolytic Degradation
- Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase
- Proteolytic Degradation
29. Mission-critical Cellular and Molecular Events
Underlying Cancer Progression
Increased cell division
Decreased cell death
Gain-of-function status of Oncogenes/Oncoproteins
Loss-of-function mutations of Tumor Suppressor Genes
30. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Gliomas
Glioblastoma
Multiforme
Anaplastic
Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma
Proliferation +/- ++ +++
Invasion ++ ++ +++
Angiogenesis - - +++
Rx Response - ++ -
Survival 5-10 Years 2-3 Years 9-12 Months
Mutation of p53
Over-expression of
PDGF/PDGFR
Mutation of Rb
Amplification of CDK4
Loss of INK4A/ARF
Loss of PTEN
Amplification of EGFR
Mutation of EGFR
Loss of INK4A/ARF
Loss of PTEN
Mutation of Rb
Amplification of IL-6
32. Common properties of most cancer cell lines
for enhanced proliferation and survival
Constitutive Stat3/other Stat activation.
Constitutive Akt activation.
Activation of Ras-MAPK pathway.
Decreased p27 expression.
Mutation in pRb family genes.
Mutation /deletion of PTEN gene.
33. The Hallmarks of Cancer
Self-sufficiency in growth signals
Hanahan D and Weinberg RA
Cell 100: 57-70, 2000
Insensitivity to anti-growth signals
Evasion of programmed cell death
Unlimited doubling potential
Sustained angiogenesis
Tissue invasion and metastasis
34. Mission-critical Cellular and Molecular Events
Underlying Cancer Progression
Increased cell division
Gain-of-function status of Oncogenes/Oncoproteins
Decreased cell death
Loss-of-function mutations of Tumor Suppressor Genes
37. Malignant gliomas are the most common subtype of primary brain tumors
Glioma cells are migrating away from the main tumor mass through the
brain parenchyma
Clinically, gliomas are divided into four grades:
Grade-I : Pilocytic astrocytoma
Grade-II : Astrocytoma
Grade-III : Anaplastic astrocytoma
Grade-IV : Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
GBM(s) are multiforme in microscopically and genetically with various
deletions, amplifications and point mutations
GBM(s) are highly proliferative and resistant to apoptosis
GBM (s) are resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy
The Gliomas
38. Stat Family Members
Stat1 : is crucial for interferon (IFN)-induced viral resistance
Stat2 : is critical for IFN-a and IL-10 signaling
Stat3 : deficiency results in very early embryonic lethality,
for unknown reasons
Stat4 : is critical for interleukin-12 signaling
Stat5 : are activated in the response to a variety of
(5A & 5B) cytokines including IL-13, EPO, OSM, GH,
prolactin and IL-2
Stat6 : specifically mediates the effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on
B or T cells