Target type: biologicalprocess
Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a salt stimulus. [GOC:mls, GOC:TermGenie, PMID:16666921]
Response to salt is a complex biological process that involves a series of coordinated responses to maintain cellular homeostasis in the face of high salt concentrations. These responses include changes in gene expression, protein synthesis, and ion transport, ultimately aiming to maintain cell volume and prevent osmotic stress.
Here's a breakdown of the key events:
1. **Perception of Salt Stress:** Cells detect increased salt concentrations through various mechanisms, including changes in membrane potential, ion gradients, and osmotic pressure.
2. **Signaling Cascades:** Upon sensing salt stress, cells activate signaling pathways involving second messengers, such as calcium and cyclic AMP. These pathways relay the stress signal to the nucleus and cytoplasm.
3. **Gene Regulation:** Salt stress triggers changes in gene expression, both at the transcriptional and translational levels. Key genes involved include:
- **Osmolyte Synthesis Genes:** These genes encode enzymes responsible for producing compatible solutes like proline, glycine betaine, and sugars. These solutes increase intracellular osmotic pressure, counteracting the effect of high salt concentrations.
- **Ion Transporters:** Genes encoding ion pumps and channels are upregulated to regulate the influx and efflux of ions, particularly sodium and potassium. These transporters play a crucial role in maintaining ion homeostasis.
- **Stress Response Genes:** Genes encoding stress-related proteins, such as heat shock proteins and reactive oxygen species scavengers, are activated to protect cells from damage caused by salt stress.
4. **Protein Synthesis:** The upregulation of genes leads to increased synthesis of proteins involved in osmotic adjustment, ion transport, and stress protection.
5. **Physiological Responses:** The coordinated changes in gene expression and protein synthesis result in a series of physiological responses:
- **Osmotic Adjustment:** Cells accumulate compatible solutes, increasing their internal osmotic pressure to balance the external salt concentration and prevent water loss.
- **Ion Homeostasis:** Ion transporters maintain the appropriate balance of sodium, potassium, and other ions, preventing imbalances that can disrupt cellular function.
- **Stress Tolerance:** Cells become more resistant to the damaging effects of high salt, including oxidative stress and protein denaturation.
6. **Long-Term Adaptation:** Plants and other organisms can develop long-term adaptations to salt stress through genetic and epigenetic changes, allowing them to survive and thrive in saline environments.'
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Protein | Definition | Taxonomy |
---|---|---|
Catechol O-methyltransferase | A catechol O-methyltransferase that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P21964] | Homo sapiens (human) |
Compound | Definition | Classes | Roles |
---|---|---|---|
oxyquinoline | Oxyquinoline: An antiseptic with mild fungistatic, bacteriostatic, anthelmintic, and amebicidal action. It is also used as a reagent and metal chelator, as a carrier for radio-indium for diagnostic purposes, and its halogenated derivatives are used in addition as topical anti-infective agents and oral antiamebics. quinolin-8-ol : A monohydroxyquinoline that is quinoline substituted by a hydroxy group at position 8. Its fungicidal properties are used for the control of grey mould on vines and tomatoes. | monohydroxyquinoline | antibacterial agent; antifungal agrochemical; antiseptic drug; iron chelator |
verapamil | 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-{[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl](methyl)amino}-2-(propan-2-yl)pentanenitrile : A tertiary amino compound that is 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine in which the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen are replaced by a methyl group and a 4-cyano-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methylhexyl group. verapamil : A racemate comprising equimolar amounts of dexverapamil and (S)-verapamil. An L-type calcium channel blocker of the phenylalkylamine class, it is used (particularly as the hydrochloride salt) in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmia, and as a preventive medication for migraine. Verapamil: A calcium channel blocker that is a class IV anti-arrhythmia agent. | aromatic ether; nitrile; polyether; tertiary amino compound | |
8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid | 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid: RN given refers to parent cpd | ||
5'-methylthioadenosine | 5'-methylthioadenosine: structure 5'-S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine : Adenosine with the hydroxy group at C-5' substituted with a methylthio (methylsulfanyl) group. | thioadenosine | algal metabolite; Escherichia coli metabolite; human metabolite; mouse metabolite; Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite |
sitagliptin | sitagliptin : A triazolopyrazine that exhibits hypoglycemic activity. | triazolopyrazine; trifluorobenzene | EC 3.4.14.5 (dipeptidyl-peptidase IV) inhibitor; environmental contaminant; hypoglycemic agent; serine proteinase inhibitor; xenobiotic |
tolcapone | tolcapone : Benzophenone substituted on one of the phenyl rings at C-3 and C-4 by hydroxy groups and at C-5 by a nitro group, and on the other phenyl ring by a methyl group at C-4. It is an inhibitor of catechol O-methyltransferase. Tolcapone: A benzophenone and nitrophenol compound that acts as an inhibitor of CATECHOL O-METHYLTRANSFERASE, an enzyme involved in the metabolism of DOPAMINE and LEVODOPA. It is used in the treatment of PARKINSON DISEASE in patients for whom levodopa is ineffective or contraindicated. | 2-nitrophenols; benzophenones; catechols | antiparkinson drug; EC 2.1.1.6 (catechol O-methyltransferase) inhibitor |
entacapone | entacapone : A monocarboxylic acid amide that is N,N-diethylprop-2-enamide in which the hydrogen at position 2 is substituted by a cyano group and the hydrogen at the 3E position is substituted by a 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl group. entacapone: structure given in first source | 2-nitrophenols; catechols; monocarboxylic acid amide; nitrile | antidyskinesia agent; antiparkinson drug; central nervous system drug; EC 2.1.1.6 (catechol O-methyltransferase) inhibitor |
opicapone | opicapone: structure in first source | oxadiazole; ring assembly |