Secondary Messenger Model. Second messengers are molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface such as the arrival of protein hormones growth factors etc. Secondary messengers are a component of signal transduction cascades.
Formation of camp and cgmp is catalyzed by the enzymes adenylyl cyclase and guanylyl cyclase respectively. This camp is the second messenger that gives the model its name. The goal of these signals is to cause some kind of change in the activity of the cell.
Mcat biochemistry kaplan guide.
A second messenger the action of epinephrine illustrates the principles by which cyclic amp mediates hormone action. Overall as a small amount of first messenger results in lots of second messenger molecules which in turn activate many enzymes which in turn act on many substrate molecules there is a cascade or amplification effect. Second messengers are molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface such as the arrival of protein hormones growth factors etc. Formation of camp and cgmp is catalyzed by the enzymes adenylyl cyclase and guanylyl cyclase respectively.
