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Systemic Signaling Cascades

Meaning

This refers to the complex, multi-step sequence of molecular events initiated by an extracellular signal, such as a hormone or growth factor, that ultimately results in a coordinated, body-wide (systemic) physiological response. These cascades involve a relay of signals through a series of kinases, second messengers, and transcription factors, ensuring signal amplification and integration across different tissues and organs. Understanding these cascades is essential for clinical practice as they govern processes like metabolism, growth, stress response, and immune function. Disruption of these signaling networks is often the root cause of metabolic and endocrine disorders.