Kasvusignaalit

Kasvusignaalit is a Finnish term that translates to "growth signals." In biological contexts, it refers to molecules or pathways that stimulate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. These signals are crucial for development, tissue repair, and maintaining homeostasis within multicellular organisms. They can originate from both internal and external sources and act through various mechanisms, often involving receptor-ligand interactions on the cell surface.

Key examples of growth signals include hormones like insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), as well as signaling molecules involved in cell-to-cell communication. These signals trigger intracellular cascades that ultimately affect gene expression, protein synthesis, and cell cycle progression. Dysregulation of growth signaling pathways is implicated in various diseases, most notably cancer, where uncontrolled cell proliferation is a hallmark. Understanding these signals is therefore fundamental to comprehending normal physiological processes and developing therapeutic interventions for diseases characterized by abnormal growth.