Kinase
A kinase is an enzyme that catalyses the addition of phosphate groups (phosphorylation) to specific substrates, forming a covalent bond with this substrate[1]. There are currently 518 known protein kinase genes in the human genome[2]. Furthermore, kinases are commonly found in cell signalling pathways, where they will activate or deactivate enzymes.
A known signalling pathway of this example of this is when the hormone epinephrine is released and a series of kinases will activate the phosphorylase A and deactivate glycogen synthase A to aid in the hydrolysis of glycogen into glucose to provide energy[3].
References
- ↑ Molecular biology of the cell (5th edition), Alberts et al. Garland Science, 2008
- ↑ Manning G, Whyte DB, Martinez R, Hunter T, Sudarsanam S (2002) The protein kinase complement of the human genome. Science 298: 1912-1934
- ↑ Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Biochemistry. 5th edition. New York: W H Freeman; 2002. Section 21.3, Epinephrine and Glucagon Signal the Need for Glycogen Breakdown. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22429/