Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
08:49
Mapping the Cellular Distribution of an Optogenetic Protein Using a Light-Stimulation Grid
Published on: January 26, 2024
294
ACTH-Modulated Membrane Guanylate Cyclase Signaling System: Origin and Creation
1Unit of Regulatory and Molecular Biology, Salus University, Elkins Park, PA, United States.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|August 26, 2022
Summary
This article details the historical development of the membrane guanylate cyclase (MGC) signaling pathway from 1963 to 1987. It highlights the foundational research and persistent efforts that established this critical cellular pathway.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- The membrane guanylate cyclase (MGC) pathway is vital for cellular survival across diverse organisms.
- Previous reviews covered MGC history up to 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To exclusively document the historical development of MGC from 1963 to 1987.
- To narrate the foundational research and challenges in establishing the MGC pathway.
Main Methods:
- Historical review and synthesis of scientific literature.
- Chronological presentation of research milestones.
- Leveraging previously published works with appropriate citations.
Main Results:
- Traces the incremental progress and overcoming skepticism in MGC research.
- Illustrates the 'brick by brick' scientific endeavor.
- Establishes a detailed timeline of MGC's early development.
Conclusions:
- The MGC pathway's establishment was a result of sustained scientific effort.
- This historical account provides context for understanding MGC's significance.
- The period 1963-1987 was crucial for the MGC pathway's foundational understanding.
Related Concept Videos
01:09GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
5.8K
Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of...
5.8K
01:15Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
7.2K
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...
7.2K
01:11IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
12.4K
Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and...
12.4K
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
47.5K
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...
47.5K
01:21Cell-surface Signaling
52.2K
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.
52.2K
01:45Endocrine Signaling
64.7K
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
64.7K