enzymsignalering

Enzymsignalering is a biological process in which the activity of enzymes is regulated by signaling pathways. It plays a crucial role in controlling cell functions such as metabolism, division, migration, and differentiation. In this process, extracellular signals—ranging from hormones and growth factors to mechanical stimuli—bind to receptors on the cell surface or within the cell, initiating a cascade of intracellular events. The cascade often involves the activation or inhibition of specific kinases, phosphatases, or other signaling molecules that ultimately modulate the catalytic activity of target enzymes.

One of the most studied examples of enzymsignalering is the MAPK/ERK pathway, where ligand binding to a receptor tyrosine kinase leads to a phosphorylation cascade that activates MAP kinases. These kinases then phosphorylate enzymes involved in gene transcription, metabolism, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Another key instance involves the PI3K/AKT pathway, which modulates enzymes linked to protein synthesis, glucose uptake, and apoptosis.

Because enzymes function as metabolic catalysts, their regulation is essential for maintaining protein homeostasis and responding to changing environmental conditions. Aberrations in enzymsignalering can result in uncontrolled cell growth, resistance to cell death, and various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. As a result, targeting components of these signaling pathways has become a strategic approach in drug development, with numerous therapeutics designed to inhibit overactive enzymes or restore normal signaling dynamics.