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Chemical Identity Redefinition

Meaning

Chemical Identity Redefinition describes the physiological process where the functional role or downstream effect of a molecule, often a hormone or signaling precursor, is altered due to environmental or metabolic shifts, effectively changing its biological identity in context. This is not a change in the molecule’s structure but a change in how the target tissue interprets its signal or how it is metabolized into an active or inactive form. We observe this phenomenon when endocrine feedback is compromised, leading to aberrant pathway activation. This concept is critical when interpreting hormone metabolite panels.