Intercellular Communication
Intercellular Communication
Cell-to-cell Communication (Cell Signaling)
- Dr. John Hodgson[1]
Cellular communication is a hot topic in the science industry as there are many links to cell signaling errors and degenerative and autoimmune diseases.[2] Cell communication (cell signaling) is a new field of study which is supported by very little information. This is rapidly changing, however.
There are different ways in which a cell communicates:
Cell to Cell Contact
Cells respond to cell-to-cell or extracellular-matrix-cell contact.[3] These interactions are mostly done through glycoproteins[4] (a protein coated with glyconutrients[5]). Through contact, cells can receive structural and functional signals. Through contact, a skin cell, for example, “knows” that it’s on the surface of your body and not inside, like a heart cell. Through contact, cells can even instruct cells to undergo apoptosis.[3]
Proteins
Proteins are secreted from a cell, travel a short distance to a a neighboring cell where they are recognized and interpreted. These signals can tell one cell to become a skin cell and a nearby cell to become a hair cell.[6]
Hormones
Hormones are considered long range signals. These are created by the endocrine system, put in the blood stream and distributed to the necessary organs.[6][7] Hormones are responsible for development, sexual development in puberty, sexual appetite, sleep, and just about every major function in your body. There exist long range proteins that are sometimes thought of as hormones, insulin is a good example.[8]
Electrical and Chemical Signals
Electrical and chemical signals are responsible for communicating very complex messages between neurons or between neurons and muscles cells.[9] The point of contact between two cells, called synapses,[10] is where electrical signals are converted into a chemical signal and then back into an electrical signal in the other cell.[11] These signals are very interesting and may be responsible for learning, memory[12] and ultimately consciousness.
References:
[1] Hodgson, John. “Capitalizing on Carbohydrates.” Bio/Technology Vol.8(1990).
[2] Systems Biology at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “Cell Signaling.” Available at: http://www.sysbio.org/sysbio/cellsignaling.stm.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[3] Bates, RC. “Apoptosis Induced by Inhibition of Intercellular Contact.” The Journal of Cell Biology, Vol 125, 403-415 (1994). Available at: http://www.jcb.org/cgi/content/abstract/125/2/403.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[4] Zhao, Runxiang. “Cell Surface Glycoprotein PZR Is a Major Mediator of Concanavalin A-induced Cell Signaling.” J. Biol. Chem, Vol.277, Issue 10. March 8,2002. pp7882-7888. Available at http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/277/10/7882.
Accessed August 12, 2008.
[5] MedicineNet.com. Available at http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=16842.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[6] University of California, San Francisco. “Mechanisms of Cell Communication.” Available at: http://cellbio.ucsf.edu/papers/chapter%2015_02mar07.pdf.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[7] Wikipedia. “Cell Signaling.” Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_signaling.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[8] WiseGeek. Available at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-hormones.htm
[9] UCIrvine. “Anatomy 101: Spinal Cord and Central Nervous System.” Avialable at: http://www.reeve.uci.edu/anatomy/scns.php.
Accessed: August 13, 2008.
[10] Dictionary.com. Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synapses.
Accessed: August 13, 2008.
[11] Stufflebeam, Robert. “Neurons, Synapses, Action Potentials, and Neurotransmission.” Consortium on Cognitive Science Instruction (CCSI). Available at: http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/neurons_intro/neurons_intro.php.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
[12] International Science Grid This Week (ISGTW). “Image of the Week – Studying the Process of Learning.” Available at: http://www.isgtw.org/?pid=1000439.
Accessed August 13, 2008.
Tags: cell to cell contact, cell-to-cell communication, cellular communication, electrical and chemical signals, essential monosaccharides, extracellular matrix, glycoproteins, hormones, intercellular communication, proteins, synpase
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