82.9k views
2 votes
What happens after the affinity of the alpha subunit for the adenylate cyclase is enhanced?

User Felesha
by
7.6k points

2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

Enhancing the alpha subunit's affinity for adenylate cyclase initiates a cell response by increasing cAMP production, which activates PKA and leads to various downstream cellular reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the affinity of the alpha subunit for adenylate cyclase is enhanced, it leads to a series of cellular responses. The activated alpha subunit of a G-protein can increase the activity of adenylate cyclase, which catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. cAMP actuates a cascade of events by activating protein kinase A (PKA), which then triggers further reactions inside the cell.

This includes phosphorylation of other proteins that can lead to changes in gene expression or the release of secondary messengers such as calcium ions from intracellular stores, depending on the cell type. The result is the amplification of the initial extracellular signal into a significant cellular response, an example of which is the fight-or-flight response elicited by adrenaline in liver cells.

User Sagar Gala
by
7.8k points
2 votes

Final answer:

Enhanced affinity of the alpha subunit for adenylate cyclase leads to activation of adenylate cyclase, production of cAMP, and subsequent activation of PKA, which triggers various cellular responses.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the affinity of the alpha subunit for adenylate cyclase is enhanced, a sequence of intracellular events occurs.

The GTP-bound alpha subunit dissociates from the beta and gamma subunits and activates adenylate cyclase, which then catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP (cAMP).

This increase in cAMP acts as a secondary messenger and activates protein kinase A (PKA). PKA then sets off a phosphorylation cascade that can lead to various cellular responses such as altering gene transcription, affecting metabolic processes, and inducing protein activation, all depending on the cell type and the signaling pathway involved.

User Leo K
by
7.0k points