Abstract
In association with their mechanisms of self/non-self recognition (known as mating type systems), ciliates synthesize and constitutively secrete cell type-specific proteins into their extracellular medium. These proteins, designated as pheromones, have been isolated from species of Euplotes and shown to be members of families of structurally homologous molecules, all rich in intra-chain disulfide bonds and organized exclusively in helical conformation. Due to their similar architectures, they can interact with their membrane receptors in competition with one another and bind effectively to their cells of origin in autocrine fashion, or to other co-specific cells in paracrine fashion. In the former case, they promote the vegetative cell growth; in the latter, they induce cells to temporarily arrest their growth stage and shift to a mating (sexual) stage. These varied, context-dependent activities of ciliate pheromones imply an early evolution of basic properties of animal growth factors and cytokines in the unicellular eukaryotes.
Keywords: Chemical signals, protein families, growth factors, protein structure, protozoa, eukaryotic microbiology
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Cell Type-Specific Signal Proteins (Pheromones) of Protozoan Ciliates
Volume: 12 Issue: 24
Author(s): P. Luporini, A. Vallesi, C. Alimenti and C. Ortenzi
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chemical signals, protein families, growth factors, protein structure, protozoa, eukaryotic microbiology
Abstract: In association with their mechanisms of self/non-self recognition (known as mating type systems), ciliates synthesize and constitutively secrete cell type-specific proteins into their extracellular medium. These proteins, designated as pheromones, have been isolated from species of Euplotes and shown to be members of families of structurally homologous molecules, all rich in intra-chain disulfide bonds and organized exclusively in helical conformation. Due to their similar architectures, they can interact with their membrane receptors in competition with one another and bind effectively to their cells of origin in autocrine fashion, or to other co-specific cells in paracrine fashion. In the former case, they promote the vegetative cell growth; in the latter, they induce cells to temporarily arrest their growth stage and shift to a mating (sexual) stage. These varied, context-dependent activities of ciliate pheromones imply an early evolution of basic properties of animal growth factors and cytokines in the unicellular eukaryotes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Luporini P., Vallesi A., Alimenti C. and Ortenzi C., The Cell Type-Specific Signal Proteins (Pheromones) of Protozoan Ciliates, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2006; 12 (24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777947452
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777947452 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Changes of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in the Liver of Male Sheep Exposed to either Cypermethrin or Dimethoate
Drug Metabolism Letters CD45 Regulated Signaling Pathways
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Dry Eye Disease: Present Challenges in the Management and Future Trends
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Caspase Expression in Molt-4 Leukemia Cells <i>Via</i> GSK-3α/Β and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways as a Therapeutic Strategy
Current Gene Therapy β-Catenin/TCF-4 Signaling Regulates Susceptibility of Macrophages and Resistance of Monocytes to HIV-1 Productive Infection
Current HIV Research Applications of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Modeling of Human Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Cyclotides, a Novel Ultrastable Polypeptide Scaffold for Drug Discovery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diet and the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Heat Shock Proteins
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Professional Phagocyte Dictyostelium discoideum as a Model Host for Bacterial Pathogens
Current Drug Targets Adding to the Mix: Fibroblast Growth Factor and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Pathways as Targets in Non – small Cell Lung Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Editorial [Inflammation and Atherosclerosis: Recent Insights and Future Perspectives]
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Prevents Melanoma Growth via Angiogenesis Inhibition
Current Pharmaceutical Design Insulin Resistance as a Proinflammatory State: Mechanisms, Mediators, and Therapeutic Interventions
Current Drug Targets Foreword
Current Nutrition & Food Science Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists in Experimental Myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design iDHSs-PseTNC: Identifying DNase I Hypersensitive Sites with Pseuo Trinucleotide Component by Deep Sparse Auto-encoder
Letters in Organic Chemistry DPP4 Inhibitors: Could they be One of the Solutions for COVID-19 Patients with Prediabetes?
Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Effects of Nanosuspension Formulations on Transport, Pharmacokinetics, In Vivo Targeting and Efficacy for Poorly Water-soluble Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Role for Milk Proteins and their Peptides in Cancer Prevention
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Approaches on Novel Topical Delivery Systems for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation