Plasmid Small, circular DNA molecule found in bacterial cells that is capable of replicating independently from the bacterial chromosome.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9446

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

The cytokines form a family of relatively small, secreted signaling molecules:

Contain about 160–200 AA

4 long, conserved α helices

Control growth and differentiation

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9447

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

Large family of cytokines:

Interleukins

Interferons

Growth hormone

Prolactin

G-CSF

Thrombopoietin

Erythropoietin

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9448

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

Receptor Homodimerization 

Cytokines (erythropoietin) activate receptors by forming dimers of two identical cytokine receptor proteins

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9450

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

Receptor hetero-dimerization or hetero-oligomerization 

Other cytokines (interleukins and interferons) bind simultaneously to two or more different cytokine receptors

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9451

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

The extracellular domain of cytokine receptors are constructed of two subdomains, each contains seven conserved β strands folded together

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 9452

#Unit 4. Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

In cytokine receptors, 

the receptor and kinase are separate polypeptides, encoded by different genes, yet are bound tightly together.