The entire, highly conserved cellular and molecular sequence of events by which a physical, emotional, or metabolic stressor is detected, converted into a specific biochemical signal, and then propagated throughout the cell and the organism to trigger an adaptive physiological response. This process is fundamental to the body’s capacity to maintain allostasis and survive challenging environmental conditions. Understanding this transduction is the primary clinical leverage point for modulating the stress response.
Origin
This term is a synthesis of concepts from molecular biology, endocrinology, and cell signaling, relying on the established principles of receptor-ligand binding and subsequent intracellular second messenger cascades. The specific application to stress involves the detailed mapping of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and the subsequent binding of glucocorticoids to their intracellular receptors.
Mechanism
The process begins with the binding of stress hormones, such as cortisol or norepinephrine, to their respective high-affinity receptors, which are either membrane-bound or located in the cytoplasm. This binding event initiates a cascade of intracellular events, including the activation of specific protein kinases or the translocation of the receptor-hormone complex into the nucleus. Ultimately, this transduction alters gene expression, leading to the synthesis of new proteins that mediate the adaptive physiological changes necessary for survival, such as energy substrate mobilization and immune system redirection.
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