How protein-based hormones and steroid hormones act differently

Steroid Hormones and Protein-Based Hormones

Steroid hormones and protein-based hormones also referred to as the peptide hormones are common types of hormones that are found in the animal body. Hormones are basically referred to as signaling molecules that are manufactured by the endocrine glands. The hormones are transported in the body with the help of the circulatory system. The behavior and physiology of the distant organs are normally controlled by the hormones (Handa & Weiser 2014).

One of the differences between the steroid hormones and the protein-based hormones is that the steroid hormones are made of cholesterol whereas the protein-based hormones are made up of cholesterol. However, the major difference between the two is that the steroid hormones bind to the cell surface receptors hence acting as second messengers while the protein-based hormones bind to the DNA in the nucleus in order to modify the transcription. Besides this, the steroids are synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum whereas the protein-based hormones are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (Hutchinson, Burholt & Hamley 2017). The steroids are only synthesized when they are needed while the protein-based hormones restored until the signals are received for secretion. Steroids normally have a slower action while protein-based hormones have a rapid action. The steroids normally exert permanent action while the protein-based steroids exert a temporary action. Some of the examples of steroid include testosterone and estrogen while the examples of protein-based proteins are the antidiuretic hormone and calcitonin.

The Process of Deamination

Deamination is the process that involves the removal of amino groups from excess proteins. In most cases, the process usually takes place in the liver but also in the kidney under few instances. This is an important process since it allows the system to convert excess amino acids into a form that is usable for instance it is converted into either hydrogen or carbon. The process of deamination also helps in the removal of nitrogen waste from the body. The process discards some amino groups and these are later converted into ammonia and this is later expelled from the body through urination. Biological sciences highlight that if there are excess proteins in the system, then this can result in some health complications. Some of the health complications related to excess proteins in the system include an increase in the secretion of calcium, cancer and even heart diseases. Hence, excess protein in the body needs to be offset either by exercising, failure to which it can even result in unhealthy body weight (Wendisch 2014). Through the removal of the amino group, deamination helps in the conversion of excess proteins into molecules which are useful to the body for other metabolic processes. Deamination majorly takes place in the liver. The hydrolytic enzymes that are present in the liver separate the NH2 amino groups from the protein. Deamination leaves behind a carbon skeleton that mainly consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The carbon skeleton is useful since it can later be converted into lipids and glucose hence making the process a major energy producing mechanism in the body.

Ultrafiltration and Selective Reabsorption within the Kidney

Ultrafiltration- this is the process that involves the transport which is activated by the push of blood flow and pressure. The process usually takes place in the entire nephron system mainly within the Bowman’s capsule and the Glomerulus where water, glucose, nitrogenous waste, vitamins, acids, and hormones are found. There is quite a large amount of plasma that emanates through the Glomerulus because of the very high pressure that is existent in the structure. Ultrafiltration is a passive form of transport.

Reabsorption- this process takes place in the nephron more commonly that filtration does. It is a kind of active transport that takes all the important materials for the body from the tubules and takes them back into the blood-filled capillaries. Reabsorption can take place in the proximal convoluted tubule of the nephron and in this case, the pH has to be sustained and bicarbonate ions are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream (Nielsen, Christensen & Birn 2016). Amino acids, glucose, and potassium ions are very significant for the body and hence they have to be actively transported into the blood. Chlorine and sodium ions are usually moved back to the capillaries in order to allow the process of salt regulation to be effective. Besides this, materials, for instance, the hydrogen ions and toxins are actively secreted from the blood into the proximal convoluted tubule. In other instances, reabsorption takes place within the loop of Henle and in this case, the reabsorption of water is facilitated by the descending limbs to take place by osmosis, while the ascending limb facilitates passive and active transport of salts for instance sodium to get out of the tubules and be reabsorbed. The distal convoluted tubule is the part of the nephron where the last adjustments are made to the passing urine within the tubule systems. Very selective reabsorption takes place in the tubule hence permitting minor adjustments to take place mainly amongst the presence of sodium and potassium.

References

Handa, R.J., and Weiser, M.J., 2014. Gonadal steroid hormones and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology, 35(2), pp.197-220.

Hutchinson, J.A., Burholt, S. and Hamley, I.W., 2017. Peptide hormones and lipopeptides: from self‐assembly to therapeutic applications. Journal of Peptide Science, 23(2), pp.82-94.

Nielsen, R., Christensen, E.I. and Birn, H., 2016. Megalin and cubilin in proximal tubule protein reabsorption: from experimental models to human disease. Kidney international, 89(1), pp.58-67.

Wendisch, V.F., 2014. Microbial production of amino acids and derived chemicals: synthetic biology approaches to strain development. Current opinion in biotechnology, 30, pp.51-58.