Definition of Second messenger

1. Noun. (biochemistry) Any substance used to transmit a signal within a cell, especially one which triggers a cascade of events by activating cellular components ¹



¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Second messenger

1. In many hormone sensitive systems the systemic hormone does not enter the target cell but binds to a receptor and indirectly affects the production of another molecule within the cell, this diffuses intracellularly to the target enzymes or intracellular receptor to produce the response. This intracellular mediator is called the second messenger. Examples include cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, IP3 and diacylglycerol. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Second Messenger

second incisor
second innings
second inversion
second inversions
second island chain
second joint
second joints
second language
second languages
second law of motion
second law of thermodynamics
second lieutenant
second lieutenants
second line chemotherapy
second meiotic division
second messenger (current term)
second messenger systems
second molar
second moment
second moment of area
second moment of inertia
second mortgage
second name
second nature
second new ball
second normal form
second of arc
second officer
second opinion
second opinions

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