Second Messenger

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-024972",
  "term": "Second Messenger",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A diverse family of low molecular weight compounds such as cyclic AMP and calcium ions, which transmit the biological signals initiated by receptor-ligand binding at the cell surface to intracellular targets such as gene expression.\n\n2. Systems in which an intracellular signal is generated in response to an intercellular primary messenger such as a hormone or neurotransmitter. They are intermediate signals in cellular processes such as metabolism, secretion, contraction, phototransduction, and cell growth. Examples of second messenger systems are the adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP system, the phosphatidylinositol diphosphate-inositol triphosphate system, and the cyclic GMP system.",
  "references": [
    "NIH Genetics Home Reference Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/second-messenger/"
}