posttranslaatiota

Posttranslaatiota refers to the modifications that occur to a protein after its synthesis through translation. This process is crucial for a protein's proper function, localization, stability, and interaction with other molecules. While the genetic code dictates the amino acid sequence, post-translational modifications (PTMs) diversify the proteome, allowing a single gene to produce multiple protein variants with different properties.

Common PTMs include phosphorylation, which involves the addition of a phosphate group, often regulating protein activity. Glycosylation, the attachment of sugar molecules, can affect protein folding, solubility, and cell surface recognition. Ubiquitination marks proteins for degradation or can alter their function. Other PTMs include acetylation, methylation, and disulfide bond formation. These modifications can occur at specific amino acid residues and are often reversible, allowing for dynamic regulation of cellular processes. PTMs play vital roles in signal transduction, metabolism, gene expression, and many other biological pathways. Aberrant PTMs are associated with various diseases, highlighting their significance in health and disease.