Definition for View source for Autocrine Signalling

In autocrine signalling, a cell secretes signalling molecules that bind to receptors on its own cell surface, stimulating a response. In addition, the signalling molecule can affect neighbouring cells of the same cell type. Autocrine signalling is often important for groups of cells to sense cell density. When cell density is high, the concentration of autocrine signals is also high. In some cases such signals will inhibit further cell growth and thereby prevent the cell density from becoming too high.