What Are the Main Components of Signal Transduction Pathways?
Signal transduction pathways typically involve the following components:
1. Receptors: Proteins on the cell surface or within the cell that bind to specific signaling molecules (ligands). Examples include G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). 2. Second Messengers: Small molecules that propagate the signal inside the cell. Common second messengers include cyclic AMP (cAMP), calcium ions (Ca2+), and inositol triphosphate (IP3). 3. Effector Proteins: Molecules that execute the cellular response, such as kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors.
