The nature of intracrine peptide hormone action.
Current theory holds that peptide hormone action results from hormone binding to cell-surface receptors, with the generation of intracellular second messengers. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that intracellular peptide hormone, either internalized or synthesized in situ, can exert physiologically relevant effects. These effects are diverse and poorly understood. I propose that such intracrine action can serve to modulate cellular function over time and thereby play a role in biological memory of various sorts, in the maintenance of hormonal responsiveness, and in cellular differentiation.
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Division of Research, Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, La 70121, USA.
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology
D006728:Hormones; D010455:Peptides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface