Cell Biology & Cell Signalling Quiz

Course Information

• Course Title: Development, Cell Biology & Cell Signalling
• Course code: 24-25
• Institution: Università di Pavia, Department of Molecular Medicine
• Lecturer: Virginie Sottile, PhD

Cell Phenotype Definition

• Cell phenotype is defined by gene expression
• Genes → mRNAs → Protein markers
• Processes involved
  • Transcription
  • RNA processing
  • mRNA editing
  • Translation
  • Splicing
  • Polyadenylation
  • Translational regulation

Cell Types and Differentiation

• Diverse cell types have different gene and protein expression profiles
• These profiles lead to distinct cell phenotypes
• Cells go through processes of constant proliferation and differentiation (homeostatic cell turnover and regeneration)
• Stem cells (neoblasts) are involved in the process.

Cell Lineage Development

• Cell lineages develop through sequential stages of differentiation
• Diagrams show the development of cell lineages and the specific cells or cell types involved in development
• Various cell types have a lineage.

Experimental Models of Development

• Various animal models are used to study early events in development and organ/tissue development.
• Examples include;
  • Human, Mouse, Chicken, Xenopus
  • Zebrafish, Drosophila, C. Elegans

Developmental Biology

• Developmental biology uses animal models to study the early stages of embryo or organ/tissue development
• This includes processes like fertilization, embryogenesis, and fetal development.
• Diagrams show the different animal models used
• The slides shown embryos from various stages
• Diagrams illustrate the stages of development including fertilization, embryogenesis, cleavage, gastrulation, organogenesis, and formation of tissues.

Embryogenesis and Developmental Processes

• Embryogenesis encompasses the developmental stages from fertilization to the formation of new organs in an embryo.
• Steps include fertilization → cleavage → gastrulation → organogenesis
• Stages are shown in stages for amphibians

Cell Lineage Models

• First cleavage produces segregation of determinants
• Second cleavage creates diversity in daughter cells
• Cells acquire diverse fates
• Cells differentiate according to their lineage.

Cellular Interactions Models

• Cell diversity is generated among daughter cells via specific signals from other cells
• Daughter cells exposed to specific intercellular signals

Morphogen Gradients

• Localized RNA gradients produce protein gradients.
• Different levels of signalling trigger different gene expression
• Morphogen gradients lead to cell fate diversity.

Fine Regulation

• Fine regulation is achieved through gradients in inductive interactions
• Direct and indirect morphogen gradients create inductive interactions among cells, leading to sequential induction and cell fate diversity.

Molecular Patterning

• Diagrams illustrating interactions and signaling between different cells (A,B, C...).
• Sequential induction leading to cell type diversity.
• Example: animal cap from amphibian embryos (ectoderm cells) and (mesoderm-induced) presumptive endoderm cells.

Differentiation of Tissue

• BMPs signals from roof plate and Shh signals from floor plate control spinal cord patterning
• Different activin concentrations cause diverse gene expression in developing tissues
• Diagrams show these stages in different organisms like amphibian embryos

Signaling Pathways

• Intracellular signaling cascade.
• Diagram shows ligand-receptor-mediated signaling cascade from extracellular signal molecule binding to receptor protein to target proteins.
• Different signalling molecules, or different doses of the same molecule, lead to signal amplification and diversity in daughter cells

Key Signaling Pathways

• Various key pathways involved in regulating cell phenotypes
• Detail includes different pathways, pathways acting in early development and in later development, or function in the differentiation of specific cell types.
• Examples of pathways include Wnt, TGFβ, Shh, FGF, Notch pathways

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pathway

• Diagram shows the receptor tyrosine kinase pathway using FGF as an example
• Shows the interaction of FGF with its receptors and the intracellular cascade
• Discusses FGF receptors and how mutations in them can lead to developmental abnormalities

Notch-Delta Pathway

• Shows how cells exert inhibitory effects on each other
• Involves a signaling process from signaling cell to target cell and a process of cleavage and binding to Notch protein
• Example: control of neural fate

Test your knowledge on cell phenotype definitions, gene expression, and the processes involved in cell differentiation. This quiz covers various aspects of cell types, lineage development, and molecular mechanisms in cell biology. Perfect for students of Development and Cell Biology.