Signaling Glossary

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• SIGNAL
  • Any variable property or parameter that serves to convey information, and may be a physical entity such as a gene product or small molecule, a photon, or a change in state such as movement or voltage change.

• SIGNALING CELL
  • The cell in which the signal is generated.

NB: For autocrine signaling, the 'signaling cell' and the 'signal receiving cell' can be the same cell.

• SIGNAL RECEIVING CELL
  • The cell in which the receptor is located.

NB: For autocrine signaling, the 'signaling cell' and the 'signal receiving cell' can be the same cell.

• DECOY RECEPTOR
  • Binds a ligand to prevent the ligand from binding its physiological receptor, but does not pass the signal on.
  • synonym: sink receptor
  • reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoy