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Intracrine Action

Meaning

Intracrine action describes a distinct and localized mode of hormone signaling where a hormone is synthesized and acts exclusively within the same cell, without being secreted into the extracellular space or systemic circulation. The hormone binds to its receptor and executes its function entirely inside the cell of origin, often directly influencing nuclear gene transcription. This mechanism is especially critical for the local regulation of steroid hormone activity in target tissues like the skin, prostate, and bone.