A cell expresses a transmembrane protein that is cleaved at the plasma membrane to release an extracellular fragment. The fragment binds to receptor proteins on nearby cells and activates signaling pathways resulting in altered gene expression patterns in the cells. What form of intercellular signaling does this represent?
A) Contact-dependent signaling
B) Paracrine signaling
C) Synaptic signaling
D) Endocrine signaling
E) Autocrine signaling