Proteins of Signaling Cascades - MB150P09
Title: Proteiny signálních kaskád
Czech title: Proteiny signálních kaskád
Form of teaching: lecture
Guaranteed by: Department of Cell Biology (31-151)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2024
Duration in semesters: 1
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 3
Examination process: summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Note: enabled for web enrollment
priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Petr Folk, CSc.
Incompatibility : MB150P09E
Is incompatible with: MB150P09E
Opinion survey results   
Annotation -
The lectures can be given in English.
Protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions play central roles in signal and energy transduction within the cell. In the first part, the course reviews principal signaling pathways such as calcium and phospholipid signaling, trimeric G-protein coupled signaling, MAPK cascades, or growth factor receptor signaling, among others. In the second and main part, important classes of regulatory proteins are presented in more detail, illustrating the structure-function relationship, significance for oncogenesis, and latest advancements in the field. Major topics: Protein serine kinases, protein tyrosine kinases, lipid kinases, phospholipases, adenylate and guanylate cyclases, protein domains important in signaling, growth factor and cytokine receptors, adaptor proteins, small G proteins, MAPK cascades, focal adhesion signaling, important classes of transcription factors and their modes of regulation, coactivators of transcription factors, complexes for modification and remodeling of chromatin, preinitiation complex of RNAPolII, nuclear structure and gene expression.
Last update: Folk Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (06.07.2021)
Literature - Czech

General overview of cell signaling and basic principles:

Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th. Edition, 2014, Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, et al.
Parts:
Proteins,
Control of Gene Expression
Cell Communication

Molecular Cell Biology, 7th. Edition, 2013, Harvey Lodish, Arnold Berk, et al.

Chapters 11, 13, 14, 15, 21, 23

Alternatively, use newer edition of any recognized international textbook on cell and molecular biology, biochemistry or molecular physiology.

Cell signaling textbooks:

Biochemistry of Signal Transduction and Regulation, Viley, 2014, G. Kraus

Signal transduction, Academic press, 2015, ljsbrand Kramer

Signal Transduction: Principles, Pathways, and Processes, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1st Ed., 2013, Lewis Cantley,Tony Hunter et al.

Cellular Signal Processing: An Introduction to the Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction, Taylor & Francis, 2nd Ed., 2017, Friedrich Marks et al.

Last update: Folk Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (06.07.2021)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme - Czech

Zkouška je ústní z celého rozsahu přednášené látky. Předpokládány jsou elementární znalosti z biochemie a buněčné biologie.

Last update: Půta František, doc. RNDr., CSc. (25.04.2012)
Syllabus -

Key characteristics of cellular signaling networks are explained at the beginning of the course (1.-15.) and illustrated on the examples covered in subsequent lectures (A.-I.).

1. Receptors couple ligand-binding and effector specificity
2. Signal is amplified on its way from receptor to effector
3. Signal transduction pathways converge, diverge, form nodules and interact with each other - crosstalk
4. Signal is transduced with the help of reversible posttranslational modifications and recognition codes
5. Change in proximity of signaling molecules is itself an important signal
6. Regulated folding and specific proteolysis can be used to transduce signals
7. Signal transduction is compartmentalized using membranes and protein skeletons
8. Information is transduced through both the amplitude and the frequency of messenger concentration changes
9. Signal components are highly mobile molecules
10. Complexity of signaling networks is achieved through combination of limited sets of elements
11. Cell responses to signals have cooperative character
12. Response to signal is always cell- and signal-context dependent
13. Quantity changes in signaling networks can lead to quality changes in cell responses
14. Signaling network robustness helps to distinguish signal from noise
15. Effector systems of the cell form one integrated network.


Outlines of signaling networks are explained; structure-function relationships of signaling proteins are presented.
A. cAMP – protein kinase A – CREB
A1. Protein kinase A structure-function
A2. PKA – CREB signaling
A3. Modularity in signaling
B. MAP kinase cascades – from mitogenic signals and stressors to Jun/Fos activation
C. Insulin receptor - PI3Kinases - PKB - FoxO transcription factor
D. GSK3 in PKB and Wnt signaling
E. Nuclear hormone receptors
E1. Receptor structure-function
E2. Coregulators, SREMs, chromatin environment
F. Tumor suppressor p53 – from genotoxic stress to the p53 oscillator and the activation of p21 gene
G. TGFβ signaling and CDK inhibitors – sensing gradients
H. NFκB/Rel pathways – two modalities of ubiquitin signaling
I. Myc/Max – pRb – E2F transcription factors – Myc as a regulator of transcription pausing.

Last update: Folk Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (06.07.2021)
Learning outcomes

List key characteristics of cellular signaling networks.

In your own words, explain the characteristics of signal transduction networks below. Illustrate the statements on examples from the transduction pathways covered in the course.

 

1. Receptors couple ligand-binding and effector specificity
2. Signal is amplified on its way from receptor to effector
3. Signal transduction pathways converge, diverge, form nodules and interact with each other - crosstalk
4. Signal is transduced with the help of reversible posttranslational modifications and recognition codes
5. Change in proximity of signaling molecules is itself an important signal
6. Regulated folding and specific proteolysis can be used to transduce signals
7. Signal transduction is compartmentalized using membranes and protein skeletons
8. Information is transduced through both the amplitude and the frequency of messenger concentration changes
9. Signal components are highly mobile molecules
10. Complexity of signaling networks is achieved through combination of limited sets of elements
11. Cell responses to signals have cooperative character
12. Response to signal is always cell- and signal-context dependent
13. Quantity changes in signaling networks can lead to quality changes in cell responses
14. Signaling network robustness helps to distinguish signal from noise
15. Effector systems of the cell form one integrated network.

For the signal transduction modules and pathways below, give an overview of the pathway and outline key operating principles. Arrange the signaling components in logical sequences. Discuss the crosstalk with other pathways. Give examples of functions on cellular and organismal level, which are dependent on the pathway. For key protein components in a pathway, such as a protein kinase, a G protein, or a transcription factor, describe the functional architecture of the component, its modes of regulation, interacting partners, compartmentalization, or any other information relevant for the understanding of signal propagation through this component.

Signaling  modules and pathways covered:

A. cAMP – protein kinase A – CREB
A1. Protein kinase A structure-function
A2. PKA – CREB signaling
A3. Modularity in signaling
B. MAP kinase cascades – from mitogenic signals and stressors to Jun/Fos activation
C. Insulin receptor - PI3Kinases - PKB - FoxO transcription factor
D. GSK3 in PKB and Wnt signaling
E. Nuclear hormone receptors
E1. Receptor structure-function
E2. Coregulators, SREMs, chromatin environment
F. Tumor suppressor p53 – from genotoxic stress to the p53 oscillator and the activation of p21 gene
G. TGFβ signaling and CDK inhibitors – sensing gradients
H. NFκB/Rel pathways – two modalities of ubiquitin signaling
I. Myc/Max – pRb – E2F transcription factors – Myc as a regulator of transcription pausing.

Last update: Folk Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (30.01.2026)
The course does not include work placement