Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)

Definition

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger important in many biological processes, acting as a signaling molecule that transfers the effects of hormones like adrenaline, which cannot cross the cell membrane, into a cell's interior. It plays a crucial role in the cellular reaction to hormonal signals and the activation of protein kinases.

Related terms

Hormones: Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that regulate physiological and behavioral activities.

Second Messenger: A substance whose release within a cell is promoted by a hormone and which brings about a response by the cell.

Protein Kinase: An enzyme that modifies other proteins by chemically adding phosphate groups to them, often playing significant roles in signaling pathways inside cells