Lipids in Cell

Signaling
Cell Biology 2016

 Steroids are a type of lipid that is not derived form a

fatty acid.
They are based instead on a system of five cycloalkane
rings that are fused together.

Steroids

 Cholesterol is the steroid that used as the starting

point for the synthesis of other steroids.

Steroids
Note the fused ring
system

Steroids

Cholesterol is only found in animals

Besides being used to synthesize the other steroids,
cholesterol is dissolved in membranes to keep them
fluid.
Plants use the alternative strategy of using polyunsaturated
fatty acids to make their phospholipids.

 This class of molecules diffuse across the plasma

membrane and bind to
Receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus. They are all
synthesized from cholesterol.

Steroid
Hormones

They include sex steroids (estrogen, progesterone,

testosterone)

corticosteroids (glucocorticoids and

mineralcorticoids)

Thyroid hormone, vitamin D3, and retinoic acid have

different structure and function but share the same
mechanism of action with the other steroids.

 Male hormones- androgens (AKA anabolic steroids)

Sex Steroids

Includes testosterone

Female hormones
Include estrogen

 Roles

Corticostero
ids

Stress response
Immune response
Inflammation response
Carbohydrate and protein metabolism
behavior

Two types
Glucocorticoids(ex.Cortisol)control carbohydrate,
fat and protein metabolism, and are anti-inflammatory
Mineralocorticoids(ex.Aldosterone)control
electrolyte and water levels, mainly by promoting
sodium retention in thekidney.

Steroid
Receptor
Superfamily

Steroid Receptor Superfamily. They are transcription

factors that function either
as activators or repressors of transcription.

Steroid
Receptor
Superfamily

Depending upon the type of receptor, they are either

located in thecytosoland move to thecell nucleus
upon activation, or remain in the nucleus waiting for
the steroid hormone to enter and activate them.

Sterols

Sterols are steroid alcohols

Ex. cholesterol

 Local hormones
The eicosanoids are rapidly broken down and
therefore act in autocrine or paracrine pathways.
This class of lipids act as signaling molecules that
bind to cell surface molecule (usually g-protein
coupled receptors)

Eicosaniods

Immune response- target of aspirin

Made from arachidonic acid
Polyunsaturated fat
3 main types:
Prostaglandins
Thromboxanes
Leukotrienes

 Not all receptors are the same, so the same molecule

can induce very different responses
Role

Prostaglandi
ns

Dilate/constrict blood vessels

Regulate inflammation
Cause pain
Induce fever
Contract smooth muscles (esp. during labor)

The signal molecule NO (nitric oxide) may initiate

prostaglandin synthesis by reacting with superoxide
anion (O2) to produce peroxynitrite, which oxidizes
the heme iron enabling electron transfer from the
active site tyrosine.

Thromboxa
nes

Like modified prostaglandins

Roles
Constrict blood vessels
Platelet aggregation

Leukotriene
s

Made in leukocytes (and other immune response

cells)
Roles
Regulate immune responses
Contract smooth muscles in bronchioles (asthma)