Exam 4 Flashcards
(172 cards)
Are steroid hormones hydrophobic or hydrophilic? Where are the receptors that they bind? How do they effect changes in cells?
Made of cholesterol backbone, very hydrophobic, diffuse into cell through plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors to change gene transcription.
What are examples of steroid hormone receptors and their ligands?
Glucocorticoid (GR): cortisol (dexamethasone)
Mineralocorticoid (MR): aldosterone (spironolactone)
Androgen (AR): testosterone, dihydrotestosterone
Estrogen (ER): estrogens, phytoestrogens, BPA
Progesterone (PR): progestins
Vitamin D (VDR): D3
Retinoic acid (RAR): retinoic acid (vitamin A)
Thyroid hormone (TR): T3
Describe the activation pathway of classical steroid receptors residing in the cytoplasm vs. those residing in the nucleus.
Classical receptors in cytoplasm: 1) Ligand binds 2) Hsp dissociates 3) Receptors dimerize 4) Dimers translocate into nucleus 5) Receptors bind DNA and Gene transcription initiated or repressed
Classical receptors in nucleus: 1) Ligand diffuses into nucleus 2) Ligand binds 3) Receptors dimerize 4) Receptors bind DNA and Gene transcription initiated or repressed
Distinguish non-classical steroid hormone receptor signaling from classical receptor signaling mechanisms (genomic, non-genomic and tethered).
There are two types of receptor proteins: 1) classical which are the direct DNA binding transcription factors, and 2) non-classical which are GPCRs or ion channels etc.
The mechanisms whereby the classical receptors can exert their effects are 1) genomic, where the classical receptor directly binds to DNA; 2) non-genomic, where the classical receptor influences second messenger pathways; and 3) tethered, where other transcription factors are altered by the steroid receptor, without them directly binding to DNA themselves.
The non-classical receptors can only have non-genomic effects since they are cell surface receptors that are not DNA binding proteins (transcription factors).
How do receptor tyrosine kinases signal in general? How does the insulin receptor function?
RTKs are enzymes- i.e. have intrinsic catalytic activity. When ligand is bound, RTK phosphorylates itself and then other proteins, on tyrosine residues. When insulin is bound to the IR, it phosphorylates itself, then phosphorylates Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS). providing docking sites for PI3-kinase (to activate Akt- metabolic effects glucose uptake, downregulates gluconeogenesis) and Grb (to activate the MAP kinase pathway- mitogenic effects Adipocyte proliferation).
What are the key proteins involved in normal insulin receptor signaling and what are their functions?
IRS- insulin receptor substrate. When phosphorylated provides docking sites for PI3-kinase and Grb. When PI3-kinase and Grb bind they are activated. PI3-K involved in metabolism and Grb in mitogenic effects.
What is the role of the PI3-K in insulin receptor signaling?
PI3-K activates AKT to exert metabolic effects: 1) Stimulate glucose uptake by GLUT4 transporters 2) Inactivate glycogen synthase kinase, promoting glycogenesis 3) Inactivate PEPCK-preventing gluconeogenesis
What is the role of the MAP kinase pathway in insulin receptor signaling?
Grb activates Ras which activates MAP-K pathway which activates AP-1 transcription factor that controls cell cycle progression, causes Adipocyte proliferation
What are the 3 circulating adrenocorticoids? How are they transported in the blood? Where are they metabolized? What receptors do they bind and are effects specific or generalized?
Aldosterone, Cortisol, Corticosterone. All 3 bind cortisol binding protein (CBP) with high affinity and albumin with low affinity. All are metabolized by the liver. Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) bind the Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and have specific effects- promoting Na+ and H2O resorption in kidney tubules. Glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone) bind the glucocorticoid receptor 1 (GR) and have some binding at the MR with very widespread effects.
What are the areas of the adrenal glands and what hormones are made in each area?
Capsule -> Cortex [[Zona Glomerulosa (Mineralocorticoids ALDOSTERONE) -> Zona Fasciculata (Glucocorticoids CORTISOL, CORTICOSTERONE) -> Zona Reticularis (Sex Steroids TESTOSTERONE, 17-B-ESTRADIOL)]] -> Medulla (Neurotransmitters DOPAMINE, EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE)
What are the species differences in Corticosteroids?
CORTISOL: cats, dogs, humans CORTICOSTERONE: rabbits, rodents, birds BOTH: cattle
What are the types of Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs/cats? In horses?
Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) can be primary (adrenal tumor), secondary (pituitary tumor aka Cushing’s), or iatrogenic (OD steroids for immunosuppression). In horses, Equine PPID secondary due to excess ATCH production by pituitary
What are the types of Hypoadrenocorticism?
Hypoadrenocorticism can be primary (loss of adrenal cortical tissue due to infection, autoimmune etc aka Addison’s), secondary (Loss of ACTH secretion by pituitary), congenital, or Iatrogenic (abrupt withdrawal of GC treatment or cytotoxic Hyperadrenocorticism drugs like mitotane).
What general drug categories are used to treat hyperadrenocorticism in horses? Dogs and cats?
For equine PPID: Dopamine agonists (reduce ACTH secretion, treat secondary disease). For primary HAC: 3B hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors to reduce synthesis of GC and MCs or Selective adrenal cytotoxic agents to kill cortex cells directly (reduce GC secretion from adrenal cortex to treat primary disease, indirectly treat secondary), For MC effects, could use Aldosterone antagonists or Thiazide diuretics (counteract hyperaldosteronism).
What classes of drugs are used to treat hypoadrenocorticism?
Synthetic corticosteroids (replace adrenocorticoids)
What drug is used to treat equine hypperadrenocorticism?
Pergolide
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Pergolide?
Dopamine agonist, tissue target: Pars Intermedia (Equine PPID)
What specific drugs are used to treat hyperadrenocorticism in dogs? Primary vs secondary?
Mitotane used to treat secondary HAC. Trilostane used to treat both primary and secondary HAC.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Mitotane?
Cytotoxic, inhibits CYP11B1 (enzyme in adrenal steroid biosynthesis pathway), tissue target: specific to zona fasciculata
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Trilostane?
3B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase inhibitor that reduces glucocorticoid biosynthesis, tissue target: Adrenal cortex in general
What specific drug is used to treat hypoadrenocorticism?
Prednisone.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Prednisone?
Synthetic Steroid to treat hypoadrenocorticism. Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) agonist, some Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Bioactivated to prednisolone. Tissue targets: WIDE! CNS, liver, fat…
What 2 specific drugs are used to treat mineralocorticoid deficiency? How are they different?
DOCP and Fludrocortisone. DOCP activity at MR only (not GR. Fludrocortisone activity at MR but also some at GR. DOCP is very long-acting injectable.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for DOCP? How is it dosed?
Replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficiency. MR agonist (NO GR activity). LONG ACTING INJECTABLE ~1 MONTH. Tissue target: kidney