monophosphorylated

Monophosphorylated refers to a molecule that has had a single phosphate group attached to it. This process, known as phosphorylation, is a crucial post-translational modification in biological systems. It involves the transfer of a phosphate group, typically from adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to a specific atom within a protein or other biomolecule, such as a lipid or carbohydrate. The addition of just one phosphate group distinguishes it from di- or triphosphorylated states, which involve the addition of two or three phosphate groups, respectively.

The phosphorylation of molecules plays a significant role in regulating a vast array of cellular processes. For instance, in protein phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group can alter a protein's structure, activity, localization, or its interactions with other molecules. This modification often acts as a molecular switch, turning cellular functions on or off. This is fundamental to signal transduction pathways, enzyme regulation, gene expression, and cellular metabolism. Monophosphorylation specifically can represent an initial step in a phosphorylation cascade or a specific functional state of a molecule. The precise location of the phosphate group on the target molecule, often on serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues in proteins, determines the outcome of the modification.