Paracrine

Paracrine signaling is a form of cell communication where a cell produces a signal to induce changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior or differentiation of those cells. Signaling molecules known as paracrine factors diffuse over a relatively short distance (local action), as opposed to endocrine factors (hormones which travel considerably longer distances via the circulatory system), juxtacrine interactions, and autocrine signaling.

Mechanism

Paracrine signaling is a form of cell-to-cell communication in which a cell produces a signal to induce changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior of those cells. The cells that are affected by paracrine signaling are often close to the cell that releases the paracrine factors. In other words, paracrine signaling acts on nearby cells.

Paracrine Factors

Paracrine factors are secreted into the immediate extracellular environment, and quickly taken up, destroyed, or immobilized, as a result, they have a short range of action. This is in contrast to endocrine factors, which are transported by the circulatory system and can act across the whole body.

Examples

Examples of paracrine signaling are the synaptic transmission between neurons and the blood clotting process. Other examples include signaling between cells of the heart, where cells can release chemicals to cause nearby cells to beat.

See Also

• Autocrine signaling
• Endocrine signaling
• Juxtacrine signaling
• Neurocrine signaling

References

Paracrine Resources
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