Biochemical Signals & Signal Transduction

Mechanisms of communication by eukaryotic cells: cell-cell communication involving hormones and growth factors; cell surface receptors, their characterisation and specificity; the role of G-proteins in signal transduction; intracellular signals and reversible phosphorylation mechanisms. Examples to be considered in detail are: cyclic AMP; protein kinase A; inositol phosphates in calcium regulation; diacylglycerol and activation of protein kinase C; calcium as a second messenger. Oncogene-derived proteins in signalling.