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Peptide Signaling Molecules

Meaning

Short chains of amino acids, typically comprising 2 to 50 residues, that act as crucial intercellular messengers, regulating a vast array of physiological processes. These molecules function by binding to specific receptors on the surface of target cells, initiating a cascade of intracellular events that modulate hormone secretion, tissue repair, immune response, and neurological function. Unlike steroid hormones, they do not typically cross the cell membrane. The precise and potent action of peptide signaling molecules makes them an area of significant clinical interest for targeted therapeutic interventions.