- Signaling molecule
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A signaling molecule is a chemical involved in transmitting information between cells. Such molecules are released from the cell sending the signal, cross over the gap between cells by diffusion, and interact with specific receptors in another cell, triggering a response in that cell by activating a series of enzyme controlled reactions which lead to changes inside the cell.
Hydrogen sulfide is produced in small amounts by some cells of the human body and has a number of biological signaling functions. Only two other such gases are currently known to act as signaling molecules in the human body: nitric oxide and carbon monoxide.
See also
Signaling pathways Agents Intracellular signaling P+PsSignal transducing adaptor protein: Scaffold protein
2nd messenger: cAMP-dependent pathway · Ca2+ signaling · Lipid signaling · IP3/DAG pathwayBy location Other concepts Signaling molecule · Ion channel gating · Mechanotransduction · Phototransduction · Synaptic transmissionCategories:- Signal transduction
- Molecular and cellular biology stubs
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