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Receptor Phosphorylation

Meaning

Receptor phosphorylation is a fundamental biochemical process in cell signaling where a phosphate group is covalently added to a receptor protein, typically on tyrosine, serine, or threonine residues. This modification acts as a molecular switch, altering the receptor’s conformation and thereby changing its activity, often activating downstream signaling cascades. It is a critical mechanism for regulating the cellular response to hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters.