What is the Difference Between Autocrine and Paracrine?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between autocrine and paracrine signaling lies in the target cells of the signaling molecules. Here are the key differences:
- Autocrine signaling: In this process, a cell targets itself by releasing a signal that can bind to receptors on its own surface. Autocrine signals are produced by signaling cells that can also bind to the ligand that is released, meaning the signaling cell and the target cell can be the same or a similar cell. This type of signaling often occurs during the early development of an organism to ensure that cells take on and reinforce their correct identities. Autocrine signaling also plays a role in pain sensation, inflammatory responses, and cancer.
- Paracrine signaling: This form of signaling involves a cell targeting a nearby cell (one not attached by gap junctions) with the signaling molecule produced by one cell diffusing a short distance to a neighboring cell. Paracrine signals move by diffusion through the extracellular matrix and usually elicit quick responses that last only a short amount of time. In order to keep the response localized, paracrine ligand molecules are normally quickly degraded by enzymes or removed by neighboring cells. One example of paracrine signaling is the transfer of signals across synapses between nerve cells.
In summary, autocrine signaling involves a cell sending a signal to itself, while paracrine signaling involves a cell sending a signal to nearby cells.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Autocrine and Paracrine? Comparative Table: Autocrine vs Paracrine
Comparative Table: Autocrine vs Paracrine
The main differences between autocrine and paracrine signaling are summarized in the following table:
| Feature | Autocrine Signaling | Paracrine Signaling |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Autocrine signaling refers to self-targeting, where the cell signals produced by the cells bind to the receptors of the same cells. | Paracrine signaling is between cells that are closely associated or in the vicinity. |
| Target Cells | Target cells are the signal-producing cells. | Target cells are the neighboring cells. |
| Signal Distance | The cell signals travel a shorter distance to reach the receptors present on the neighboring cell surface. | The signaling cell and the target cell can be the same or a similar cell. |
| Signal Type | Autocrine signals are produced by signaling cells that can also bind to the ligand that is released. | Signals that act locally between cells that are close together are called paracrine signals. |
| Examples | An example of autocrine signaling is the signaling between immune cells during inflammation. | One example of paracrine signaling is the transfer of signals across synapses between nerve cells. |
Both autocrine and paracrine signaling are cell signaling pathways that use small protein molecules as chemical signals for communication between cells. However, autocrine signaling involves the cell signaling to itself, while paracrine signaling involves signaling to nearby cells.
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