A complex intracellular communication cascade activated by hormones and growth factors, primarily promoting biosynthesis and growth. This pathway is crucial for cellular repair, tissue building, and maintaining lean body mass. Key examples include the Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and mTOR pathways, which regulate protein synthesis and cell proliferation.
Origin
The term combines “anabolic,” from the Greek anabole meaning “a throwing up” or “to build up,” and “signaling pathway,” referring to the sequence of molecular events within a cell. Its clinical relevance emerged from endocrinology and molecular biology studies detailing how trophic hormones govern physiological development and tissue homeostasis.
Mechanism
Hormones like insulin or testosterone bind to specific cell surface receptors, initiating a cascade of phosphorylation events involving various kinases. This ultimately leads to the activation of downstream effectors, such as the mTOR complex, which then translocates to the nucleus. The final action is the transcription of genes responsible for protein synthesis and cellular growth, effectively shifting the cell from a catabolic (breaking down) to an anabolic (building up) state.
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