Can transcription factors function as cell-cell signalling molecules?
Prochiantz A; Joliot A Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8542, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 05, France. prochian@wotan.ens.fr Recent data support the view that transcription factors – in particular, homeoproteins – can be transferred from cell to cell and have direct non-cell-autonomous (and therefore paracrine) activities. This intercellular transfer, based on atypical internalization and secretion, has important biotechnological consequences. But the real excitement stems from the physiological and developmental implications of this mode of signal transduction.
