Fosforylointitoiminta

Fosforylointitoiminta is a Finnish term that translates to phosphorylation in English. It refers to a crucial biochemical process in which a phosphate group is added to a molecule. This addition is typically catalyzed by enzymes known as kinases. Phosphorylation is a fundamental mechanism for regulating the activity of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids within living cells. It acts as a molecular switch, turning biological processes on or off, or modulating their intensity.

The addition of a phosphate group can significantly alter the shape, charge, and binding properties of a molecule. This conformational change often leads to a change in the molecule's function. For example, phosphorylation of a protein can activate or deactivate it, leading to downstream effects in signaling pathways. In energy metabolism, phosphorylation is involved in storing and releasing energy, most notably in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Dephosphorylation, the removal of a phosphate group, is the reverse reaction and is equally important in cellular regulation, often carried out by enzymes called phosphatases.