Disruption of extracellular signaling

Abstract Complex organisms rely on extracellular communication to control various physiological processes vital for development, maintenance, and reproduction. Most often, these signaling pathways are mediated by a signal molecule synthesized and released into the interstitial space by one cell that subsequently migrates and binds to a specific macromolecular receptor on/in a “target” cell. The signal–receptor interaction is transduced into a change in the target cell’s function, mediated by a variety of intracellular signaling events. A number of xenobiotics influence extracellular signaling events to elicit toxicity. This chapter is a brief overview of extracellular signaling and three general modes for xenobiotic-induced disruption of extracellular signaling.