A broad classification for any small molecule, peptide, or steroid that transmits information between cells or tissues, orchestrating physiological responses across the body. This category encompasses classical hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and growth factors, all of which bind to specific receptors to initiate a cascade of cellular events. They are the essential communication network of the endocrine and nervous systems.
Origin
The term is descriptive, combining molecular to denote the scale of the signaling entity and messengers to convey their function of carrying information, much like the original Greek meaning of hormone (to set in motion). It emphasizes the chemical nature of inter-organ communication in biology. This concept is fundamental to all aspects of endocrinology.
Mechanism
These messengers are typically synthesized in one location and travel through the bloodstream or interstitial fluid to reach distant target cells. Steroid hormones, being lipid-soluble, often cross the cell membrane to bind to intracellular receptors, directly altering gene transcription. Peptide hormones bind to surface receptors, activating secondary messenger systems inside the cell to rapidly modify existing protein function.
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