Intracrine signaling

Intracrine refers to a hormone that acts inside a cell, regulating intracellular events. In simple terms it means that the cell stimulates itself by cellular production of a factor that acts within the cell. Steroid hormones act through intracellular (mostly nuclear) receptors and, thus, may be considered to be intracrines.

• Intracellular receptors
• Nuclear receptors

There are several protein/peptide hormones that are also intracrines. Notable examples that have been described in the references include:

• Peptides of the renin–angiotensin system: angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7)
• Fibroblast growth factor 2
• Parathyroid hormone-related protein

See also Signal transduction.