Phenomena and Processes

Signal Transduction

The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.

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Classification

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

21 entry terms
  • Cell Signaling
  • Signal Transduction Systems
  • Signal Transduction System
  • Signal Transductions
  • System, Signal Transduction
  • Systems, Signal Transduction
  • Transduction, Signal
  • Transductions, Signal
  • Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction
  • Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction
  • Signal Pathways
  • Signal Transduction Pathways
  • Pathway, Signal
  • Pathway, Signal Transduction
  • Pathways, Signal
  • Pathways, Signal Transduction
  • Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions
  • Signal Pathway
  • Signal Transduction Pathway
  • Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated
  • Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

History Note

89

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Membrane Potentials (1977-1988)
  • specific compounds/physiology (1977-1988)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G02.111.820w
  2. G04.835w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 375

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Signal Transduction. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015398. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015398
  2. Signal Transduction. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_transduction
  3. Signal Transduction. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q828130