Phosphorylation
Protein phosphorylation regulates crucial processes such as ion
transport, cellular proliferation, and hormone responses. There are
more than 500 serine/threonine, tyrosine, and dual specificity kinases
within the human genome. Cascading phosphorylation of proteins
dynamically controls cell signaling, and disruption of kinase genes
underlies a host of physiological disorders.
Kinase phosphorylation can be reversed by protein phosphatases, and
their synchronization regulates key cellular activities. Most protein
phosphatases are not stringently specific for their substrates.
Consequently, changes in phosphatase activity can broadly impact
turnover of substrates for different kinases, thereby connecting
interrelated signaling pathways. Errors in control of
phosphorylation/dephosphorylation can lead to unchecked cell growth
attributable to human cancers and developmental disease.
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