Chapter 17, Problem 1ILQ

Visit this link (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/hormonebind) to watch an animation of the events that occur when a hormone binds to a cell membrane receptor. What is the secondary messenger made by adenylyl cyclase during the activation of liver cells by epinephrine?

Summary Introduction

To write:

The secondary messenger made by the adenylyl cyclase during the activation of liver cells by epinephrine.

Introduction:

Epinephrine is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It plays an important role in the fight-or-flight response by increasing the blood flow. Secondary messengers are the intracellular signaling molecules released by the cell in response to exposure to extracellular signaling molecules.

Explanation of Solution

The secondary messenger made by the adenylyl cyclase during the activation of liver cells by epinephrine is the 3', 5'- cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which is an important secondary messenger for many other biological processes also. The epinephrine binds to the receptor outside the liver cell bringing a conformational change which in turn allows the binding of the G protein. This makes the adenylate cyclase and ATP to bind. The adenylate cyclase breaks down ATP into cAMP which then becomes in secondary messenger in the breakdown of glycogen to glucose.

Conclusion

Thus, cAMP is the secondary messenger produced during the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver.