Signal transduction is the fundamental cellular process by which an extracellular signaling molecule, such as a hormone, growth factor, or neurotransmitter, binds to a specific receptor and triggers a cascade of biochemical events inside the cell, ultimately leading to a change in cellular function or gene expression. This highly regulated communication pathway is essential for coordinating all physiological processes, from metabolism and growth to immune response and neural activity. Disruptions in signal transduction are central to many endocrine disorders and diseases.
Origin
The term combines “signal,” from the Latin signum (mark or token), and “transduction,” from the Latin trans- (across) and ducere (to lead), meaning to lead or convey across. The concept became a cornerstone of molecular biology and endocrinology with the realization that hormones do not always enter the cell but often initiate a complex relay system at the cell membrane.
Mechanism
The mechanism typically begins with the hormone binding to its cognate receptor, which may be a cell-surface receptor for peptide hormones like insulin, or an intracellular nuclear receptor for steroid hormones like testosterone. This binding event induces a conformational change in the receptor, activating a series of intracellular second messengers, kinases, and transcription factors. The final step involves the modification of specific target proteins or the regulation of gene transcription, translating the external hormonal signal into a precise, measurable cellular response.
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