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Kinase Activity

Meaning

Kinase Activity is the fundamental biological function of a class of enzymes, known as kinases, which catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from an energy-rich molecule, typically ATP, onto a specific substrate protein. This crucial process, termed phosphorylation, acts as the primary molecular “on/off” switch, regulating the activity, subcellular localization, and interaction of nearly all cellular proteins. In endocrinology, kinase activity is indispensable for propagating the intracellular signals initiated by the binding of peptide hormones, growth factors, and many metabolic regulators.