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Signaling Cascade

Meaning

A Signaling Cascade is a complex, ordered sequence of molecular events within a cell, typically initiated by the binding of an extracellular messenger, such as a hormone, neurotransmitter, or growth factor, to a specific cell-surface or intracellular receptor. This chain reaction involves a series of sequential protein activations and modifications, primarily through phosphorylation, that serve to significantly amplify the initial signal. The cascade ultimately converges to elicit a coordinated, specific cellular response, such such as the alteration of gene expression or the activation of metabolic enzymes.