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Related Concept Videos

Intracellular Signaling Cascades01:24

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
Intracellular Signaling Cascades01:24

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers01:15

Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers

Many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic; they do not cross the cell membrane but bind to cell-surface receptors. Thus, their message must be relayed by second messengers present in the cell cytoplasm. There are several second messenger pathways, each with its own way of relaying information. For example, the G protein-coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol pathway is active when the receptor induces...
Autocrine Signaling01:01

Autocrine Signaling

Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
Autocrine Signaling01:01

Autocrine Signaling

Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
Cell-surface Signaling01:21

Cell-surface Signaling

Hormones—or any molecule that binds to a receptor, known as a ligand—that are lipid-insoluble (water-soluble) are not able to diffuse across the cell membrane. In order to be able to affect a cell without entering it, these hormones bind to receptors on the cell membrane. When a first messenger, a hormone, binds to a receptor, a signal cascade is set off, causing second messengers, proteins inside the cell, to become activated, resulting in downstream effects.

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Human Pseudoislet System for Synchronous Assessment of Fluorescent Biosensor Dynamics and Hormone Secretory Profiles
08:04

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Published on: November 3, 2023

Intracellular signalling by C-peptide.

Claire E Hills1, Nigel J Brunskill

  • 1Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester School of Medicine, P.O. Box 138, Leicester LE1 7RH, England, UK.

Experimental Diabetes Research
|April 3, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

C-peptide, once thought inert, shows physiological effects in type 1 diabetes. It binds cell receptors, initiating signaling pathways that may offer protection against diabetic complications.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • C-peptide, a proinsulin cleavage product, was historically considered biologically inactive.
  • Its role was limited to being a marker for insulin production in diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential physiological and protective roles of C-peptide.
  • To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying C-peptide's effects.

Main Methods:

  • Administration of C-peptide to individuals with type I diabetes.
  • Analysis of cell surface receptor binding.
  • Investigation of intracellular signaling pathways including calcium flux, PI-3-kinase, Na(+)/K(+) ATPase, eNOS, and MAPK.

Main Results:

  • C-peptide binds to cell surface receptors, likely G-protein coupled, in nanomolar concentrations.
  • Binding triggers multiple cellular effects: increased intracellular calcium, PI-3-kinase activity, Na(+)/K(+) ATPase stimulation, eNOS transcription, and MAPK pathway activation.
  • These effects were observed across various cell types and tissues.

Conclusions:

  • C-peptide exhibits significant physiological activity beyond its role as an insulin marker.
  • The identified cellular signaling pathways suggest a protective role for C-peptide.
  • C-peptide presents potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating long-term diabetic complications.