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Molecular Mechanisms of Desensitization

Meaning

Molecular mechanisms of desensitization describe the intricate, intracellular biochemical processes that lead to a diminished cellular response following prolonged or repeated exposure to a hormone, neurotransmitter, or pharmacological agent. This critical phenomenon, also known as tachyphylaxis or receptor down-regulation, is a crucial homeostatic mechanism that protects the cell from chronic overstimulation. Understanding these precise mechanisms is essential in endocrinology and pharmacology, as it explains the eventual reduced therapeutic efficacy of chronic interventions. The primary goal of desensitization is to restore cellular signaling equilibrium and prevent cellular exhaustion.