Cellular signaling

Cellular signaling (pronunciation: /ˈsɛljʊlər ˈsɪɡnəlɪŋ/), also known as cell signaling, is a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their microenvironment is the basis of development, tissue repair, and immunity, as well as normal tissue homeostasis. Errors in cellular information processing are responsible for diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and diabetes.

Etymology

The term "cellular signaling" is derived from the Latin cellula, meaning "a small room", and the Old French signaler, meaning "to distinguish or signal".

Related Terms

Signal transduction: The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, most commonly protein phosphorylation catalyzed by protein kinases, which ultimately results in a cellular response.
Receptor (biochemistry): A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell. When such chemical signals bind to a receptor, they cause some form of cellular/tissue response.
Ligand (biochemistry): A substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose. In protein-ligand binding, the ligand is usually a molecule which produces a signal by binding to a site on a target protein.
Second messenger system: A method of cellular signaling where the signaling molecule does not enter the cell but triggers a sequence of changes in second messenger molecules.
Cell communication (biology): The process through which cells can detect and respond to signals in their environment. This is crucial in multicellular organisms, for coordinating the actions of multiple cells.