Reversible posttranslational modification protein phosphorylation

Posttranslational modifications are enzyme-catalyzed covalent modifications of a mature protein after it has been synthesized. Examples of posttranslational modifications are phosphorylation, glycosylation, sulfation, methylation and prenylation. Espedally those modifications that are reversible, such as phosphorylation by de-phosphorylation through the action of phosphatases are important in regulation. 

Phosphorylation. Phosphorylation is a posttranslational modification that is reflected in close to 30% of eukaryotic gene products and almost 2% of the human genome-encoded protein kinases. Protein phosphorylation plays an essential role in intercellular communication during development, in physiological responses and homeostasis, and in the functioning of the nervous and immune systems. Reversible phosphorylation regulates many diverse... 

Soft ionization techniques such as electrospray ionization and matrix assisted laser desorption are now routinely used to determine the mass of large hydrophilic polymers like proteins (27). However, as is usual for the ionization process, the presence of sails and detergents, which is common for biological samples, can affect the process significantly. The use of the on-line capillary reversed-phase HPLC in combination of the electrospray mass spectrometer (LC/MS) has made it possible to analyze such samples directly (10,16, 28). When GAP-43 isolated from the membrane fractions of bovine brain was analyzed, a single major peak with a minor peak corresponding to a phosphorylated species was observed (Fig. la). To study the posttranslational modifications in detail, the protein was digested with specific proteases such as lysyl... 

The reversible phosphorylation of proteins is one of the most widespread posttranslational modifications, mediating responses to internal and external signals in a variety of cellular processes [1-3]. In eukaryotes 30-70 % of all proteins are phosphorylated on tyrosine (Tyr), threonine (Thr), and/or serine (Ser) residues [4-6]. Protein phosphorylation is catalyzed by protein kinases, which transfer the y-phosphate of ATP to a hydroxyl side chain, resulting in the formation of a phosphate monoester. Protein phosphatases hydrolyze these phosphate monoesters and make protein phosphorylation a reversible modification [4]. 

Protein phosphorylation is a pervasive posttranslational modification in cells. It is reversible and can dramatically affect the activity of a modified protein. Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important mechanisms used for signal transduction by cells. In prokaryotic cells, the best-known reversible protein phosphorylations occur on histidine and aspartate in eukaryotes the best-known occur on the hydroxyl groups of serine, threonine, and tyrosine, although histidine can also be phosphorylated (Fig. 3.9). Other reversible modifications also occur, such as the acetylation of lysine residues in histone proteins. 

Reversible phosphorylation requiring both a kinase and a phosphatase is implicated in the control of many cellular process. Generally, a phosphate group is linked to serine or threonine and also to tyrosine residues in proteins. Phosphorylation in enzyme molecules generally leads to a modification of the catalytic activity (see review, England, 1980). Other modifications have been also described such as methylations and ADP-ribosylation. Formation of disulfide bonds is also a posttranslational process. 

Reversible phosphorylation of proteins on serine, threonine and tyrosine residues by protein kinases and phosphatases represents the principal mechanism of signal transduction events that control a multitude of cellular processes (see ref. 1 and 2 for detained reviews). Phosphorylation is a posttranslational chemical modification that is used by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to define the properties of a large... 

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