Signaling molecules are a diverse group of chemical messengers, including hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and growth factors, that are responsible for intercellular communication and coordination of physiological processes. These molecules transmit information from one cell to another, triggering a specific response in the target cell. The integrity and precision of these molecular signals are essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis and adapting to internal and external stimuli.
Origin
The concept of chemical signaling dates back to the early 20th century with the discovery of hormones and neurotransmitters, but the term signaling molecule gained prominence with the detailed understanding of cell-to-cell communication in the late 20th century. Signaling derives from the Latin signum (mark, token), reflecting their role as communicators.
Mechanism
A signaling molecule is released by a source cell and travels to a target cell, where it binds to a specific receptor, either on the cell surface or intracellularly. This binding event initiates a signal transduction cascade, a sequence of molecular events that ultimately modifies the target cell’s behavior, such as altering gene expression, enzyme activity, or cellular movement. This mechanism allows for precise, rapid, and coordinated responses across complex biological systems.
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