Protein kinase
Protein kinase
Protein kinase (pronunciation: /ˈproʊtiːn kaɪˈneɪs/) is a type of enzyme that modifies other proteins by chemically adding phosphate groups to them (phosphorylation). This process is a crucial aspect of cell signaling and regulates cellular activities such as cell division, protein synthesis, and cell death.
Etymology
The term "protein kinase" is derived from the Greek words "proteios" meaning "primary" or "in the lead", and "kinase" from "kinos" meaning "movement". This reflects the enzyme's role in initiating cellular processes.
Function
Protein kinases function by transferring a phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to a specific amino acid residue in a protein. This process, known as phosphorylation, can activate or deactivate the protein, thereby regulating its function and the cellular processes it controls.
Types
There are two main types of protein kinases: serine/threonine kinases and tyrosine kinases. Serine/threonine kinases phosphorylate proteins on serine or threonine residues, while tyrosine kinases phosphorylate proteins on tyrosine residues.
Related Terms
- Phosphatase: An enzyme that removes a phosphate group from a protein, reversing the action of a protein kinase.
- Kinase inhibitor: A type of drug that blocks the action of one or more protein kinases.
- Signal transduction: The process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another, often involving protein kinases.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Protein kinase
- Wikipedia's article - Protein kinase
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