Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
autocrine
Adjective
/ˈɔːtəˌkraɪn/
Definition
Referring to a type of cell signaling in which a cell produces a signal (like a hormone or a neurotransmitter) that binds to receptors on its own surface, influencing its own activity.
Examples
- The autocrine effect of growth factors on tumor cells can enhance their proliferation.
- In autocrine signaling, the cells respond to their own emitted signals.
- Some immune cells utilize autocrine mechanisms to modulate their activation and response.
Meaning
Autocrine signaling is a process where a cell communicates with itself by releasing signaling molecules that bind to its own receptors, thereby regulating its functions.
Synonyms
- Self-signaling
- Self-regulating
- Endocrine (in a broader sense)
