Protein kinase A
Protein Kinase A (pronounced: pro-teen ki-nase A), also known as PKA, is a family of enzymes whose activity is dependent on cellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP). PKA has several functions in the cell, including regulation of glycogen, sugar, and lipid metabolism.
Etymology
The term "Protein Kinase A" is derived from the function of the enzyme. "Protein" refers to the type of substrate the enzyme acts on, "Kinase" is a type of enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from high-energy donor molecules, such as ATP, to specific substrates, a process referred to as phosphorylation, and "A" differentiates it from other types of protein kinases.
Function
Protein Kinase A is an enzyme that is used to modify other proteins by chemically adding phosphate groups to them (phosphorylation). This process can change the function or activity of the protein and is a common way that cells regulate protein activity.
Related Terms
- Phosphorylation: The process of adding a phosphate group to a protein or other organic molecule.
- Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts.
- Cyclic AMP: A derivative of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and used for intracellular signal transduction.
- Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
See Also
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