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.
An example of cell signalling of this sort 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/