How do peptide hormones bind to receptors in the plasma membrane of target cells, and what does this binding trigger?

Sourav PanNovember 9, 2024

Answered step-by-step

Peptide hormones play a crucial role in cellular communication by binding to specific receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells. This binding triggers a series of intracellular events that lead to physiological responses. Here’s a detailed overview of how peptide hormones bind to receptors and the subsequent signaling processes they initiate.

Binding of Peptide Hormones to Receptors

1. Nature of Peptide Hormones:
   • Peptide hormones are generally water-soluble and cannot diffuse through the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane due to their size and polarity. Instead, they rely on specific receptors located on the outer surface of target cell membranes.
2. Receptor Types:
   • Most peptide hormones bind to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) or other types of membrane receptors. These receptors have extracellular domains that recognize and bind the hormone, initiating the signaling cascade.
3. Receptor Binding:
   • When a peptide hormone binds to its receptor, it induces a conformational change in the receptor structure. This change is critical for activating intracellular signaling pathways. For example, in the case of GPCRs, this binding activates associated G proteins by exchanging guanosine diphosphate (GDP) for guanosine triphosphate (GTP) .

Triggering Intracellular Signaling

1. G Protein Activation:
   • The activated G protein dissociates from the receptor and interacts with downstream effectors, such as enzymes or ion channels. This interaction can activate or inhibit various cellular processes depending on the type of G protein involved (e.g., Gs, Gi, or Gq) .
2. Second Messenger Generation:
   • One common pathway involves the activation of adenylyl cyclase, which converts ATP into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a second messenger. cAMP then activates protein kinases, which phosphorylate target proteins, leading to changes in their activity and function .
3. Amplification of Signal:
   • The binding of a single peptide hormone can lead to significant amplification of the signal within the cell. For example, one activated receptor can activate multiple G proteins, each triggering the production of many cAMP molecules, which in turn activate numerous protein kinases . This cascade effect allows for a small amount of hormone to produce a substantial physiological response.
4. Diverse Cellular Responses:
   • The specific effects triggered by peptide hormone binding can vary widely depending on the type of hormone, the receptor involved, and the cellular context. Common responses include:
   • Alterations in gene expression.
   • Changes in enzyme activity.
   • Modifications in ion channel permeability.
   • Regulation of metabolic pathways.
5. Termination of Signal:
   • The action of peptide hormones is typically transient; once the hormone dissociates from its receptor, GTP bound to G proteins is hydrolyzed back to GDP, deactivating them. Additionally, enzymes such as phosphodiesterase degrade second messengers like cAMP to terminate signaling .