Prosignaling

Prosignaling is a term used across several disciplines to describe preparatory or anticipatory signals that precede a primary signal, event, or action. It is not a single standardized concept; rather, it functions as a descriptive label for mechanisms that bias, prepare, or condition a system or observer for an upcoming change.

In biology and medicine, prosignaling may refer to events or cues that prime cells or organisms for a later response. For example, early cytokine signals that sensitize immune cells, or cellular metabolites that alter receptor sensitivity before a full signaling cascade is activated. In neuroscience, pro-signals can denote pre-stimulus activity or contextual cues that modulate the strength or timing of responses to a main stimulus.

In technology and engineering, prosignaling can describe preparatory cues embedded in data streams or control protocols that inform a system of impending state changes, enabling faster or smoother transitions. In social and behavioral contexts, prosignals are cues that hint at forthcoming actions or outcomes, helping individuals adjust behavior before a formal signal is issued.

Because the term lacks a single formal definition, its precise meaning depends on context. It is often contrasted with immediate signaling (the main signal) or with priming, cueing, or pre-emption, which have more established definitions in their respective fields. When used, authors typically specify what counts as a pro-signal and what outcome it is intended to influence.

See also: signaling theory, cue, priming, anticipation, pre-signal.