Synthesis and storage

Release from parent

cell
Transport in blood

Peptide hormones

Steroid hormones

Catecholamines

Thyroid hormones

Made in advance,
stored in secretory
vesicles
Exocytosis

Synthesised on
demand from
precursors
Simple diffusion

Made in advance,
stored in secretory
vesicles
Exocytosis

Made in advance;
precursor stored in
secretory vesicles
Simple diffusion

Dissolved in plasma

Bound to carrier
proteins
Long

Dissolved in plasma
Short

Bound to carrier
proteins
Long

Cytoplasm or nucleus;
some have membrane
receptors as well
Activation of genes for
transcription and
translation; may have
nongenomic actions
Induction of new
protein synthesis

Cell membrane

Nucleus

Activation of second
messenger systems

Activation of genes for

transcription and
translation

Modification of
existing proteins

Induction of new
protein synthesis

Estrogen, androgens
and cortisol

Epinephrine,
norepinephrine

Thyroxine (T4)

Half life

Short

Location of receptor

Cell membrane

Response to receptorligand binding

Activation of second
messenger systems;
may activate genes

General target
response

Modification of
existing proteins and
induction of new
protein synthesis
Insulin and
parathyroid hormone

Examples