How do signal transduction pathways work?
1 Answer
Signal transduction refers to the transmission of a molecular signal in the form of a chemical modification.
Explanation:
This involves movement of protein complexes along a signalling pathway that ultimately triggers a biochemical event in the cell.
Signal transduction occurs when an extra cellular signalling molecule activates a specific receptor located on the cell surface or inside the cell. This receptor triggers a biochemical chain of events inside the cell , that eventually elicits a response. This is called as a signalling cascade.
Depending upon the cell , the response may alter the cells metabolism , shape , gene expression , or ability to divide. The signal can be amplified at any step , thus , one signalling molecule can generate a response involving hundreds to millions of molecules.
