Kinasa

Kinasa is a term used in several languages, including Indonesian, to refer to the enzyme class known in English as kinase. Kinases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group, typically from ATP, to a substrate in a process called phosphorylation. This modification can change the activity, interactions, localization, or stability of the substrate, making kinases central to many cellular signaling and regulatory networks.

Kinases are diverse and can be broadly categorized as protein kinases, lipid kinases, and sugar kinases. Protein kinases are further classified by their target residues into serine/threonine kinases, tyrosine kinases, and dual-specificity kinases. Within protein kinases, receptor-type kinases reside at the cell surface, while non-receptor kinases function in the cytoplasm or nucleus. Lipid kinases modify membrane lipids, influencing signaling pathways, whereas sugar kinases act on carbohydrate substrates in metabolism.

Most kinases share a conserved catalytic domain that binds ATP and substrate. Activation and activity are tightly regulated by factors such as phosphorylation, allosteric effectors, binding partners, and subcellular localization. Conserved motifs within the catalytic domain, including regions involved in ATP binding and phosphate transfer, support catalysis and regulation.

Kinases play essential roles in numerous biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of kinase activity is linked to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Consequently, kinases are prominent targets in drug development, with many inhibitors used in therapy to modulate signaling pathways.