The signal function of proteins is the ability of proteins to serve as signaling substances, transmitting signals between tissues, cells or organisms.
The regulatory function is performed by hormone proteins. The binding of the hormone to the receptor is a signal that triggers physiological processes in the cell. Hormones regulate the concentration of substances in the blood and cells, growth, reproduction and other processes. For example, insulin lowers blood sugar, growth hormone regulates skeletal growth , and leptin regulates appetite .
Cells can interact with each other at a distance using special proteins transmitted through intercellular substance. These proteins include cytokines , growth factors , etc.
Cytokines are small peptide information molecules. They regulate interactions between cells, determine the vital activity of cells, their survival, stimulate or inhibit growth, differentiation, functional activity and apoptosis (the phenomenon of programmed cell death), ensure coherence and orderliness of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems. An example of cytokines is the tumor necrosis factor , which transmits inflammatory signals between body cells [1] .
Some pheromones are also of a protein nature. So, the sexual pheromone (sex-inducing pheromone) of Volvox is a glycoprotein [2] . Peptide pheromones are found in a wide variety of organisms - from bacteria [1] (inaccessible link) to mammals [3]
Links
- ↑ Poveschenko AF., Abramov VV., Kozlov VV. Cytokines are factors of neuroendocrine regulation. Advances in Physiological Sciences. 2007 - 38 (3): 40-6
- ↑ Armin Hallmann, Klaus Godl, Stephan Wenzl and Manfred Sumper. The highly efficient sex-inducing pheromone system of Volvox. Trends in Microbiology Volume 6, Issue 5, 1 May 1998, Pages 185-189
- ↑ Touhara K. Molecular biology of peptide pheromone production and reception in mice. Adv Genet. 2007; 59: 147-71.