Cell Communication

In the body of a living organism, the message is communicated between cells, e.g., between two nerve cells (neurons) or between nerve cells and muscle cells, by some chemical substances called chemical messengers. This process is known as cell communication. The chemical messenger sits on the receptor protein (in cell membrane of a cell). The protein slightly changes its shape to hold the messenger. The messenger gives the message without entering into the cell and departs. The receptor protein returns to its original shape.

Major Biomes on earth Types of chemical messengers

• Hormones:

  Hormones are a group of biomolecules. The endocrine system in body produces different types of hormones, which perform different functions. Endocrine glands release hormones to blood. Blood carry6 them to different body parts. A particular hormone activates particular types of receptor proteins which recognize it. E.g., Adrenal gland produces a hormone Adrenaline at the time of excitements like, fear, stress etc. It communicates the message to the cells of various organs and the body gets prepared to tackle them.

• Neurotransmitters:

  Neurotransmitters are substances like acetylcholine, serotonin etc., which communicate nerve cells. They are small molecules, which bind to the receptor, transfer message and depart in a very short time. After that they get deactivated and degraded. The degraded products reach at nerve endings and reform the active messenger again.

Drugs and Drug Targets:

Integrins are also trans membrane binding glycol proteins that usually bind cells to matrix. However, they also may bind cells to cells. Binding is calcium dependent. Binding is from an integrin to a specific ligand on the target cell Binding may involve actin filaments, but is not associated with a cell junction Integrins contain an alpha and a beta subunit: Most cell to cell interactions involve integrins with an alpha and a beta-2 subunit

Examples:

Drugs (and medicines) are chemical substances that cure diseases and reduce pain. There are some drugs which interact with biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins etc. These molecules are referred as drug targets. Antacids, anti-allergic drugs, anti depressant drugs, tranquilizers are some categories of drugs. On the basis of targets or receptor sites, drugs are classified as :

• Antagonists
Tthey act as message blockers. They bind to the receptor site and inhibit its natural function.
• Agonist
Tthey act as natural chemical messengers when chemical messengers are lacking.