| a cyclic anhydride of adenosine monophosphate formed from adenosine triphosphate by the action of adenylate cyclase: in cellular metabolism, it acts as an intracellular amplifier or second messenger of signals derived from hormones or neurotransmitters. |
| cyclic AMP n. A cyclic nucleotide of adenosine that acts at the cellular level to regulate various metabolic processes and mediate the effects of many hormones. |
cyclic AMP n.
Abbr. cAMP
A cyclic nucleotide of adenosine that acts at the cellular level as a regulator of various metabolic processes. Also called adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate.