PHOSPHOPROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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A phosphoprotein is a type of protein molecule that possesses one or more phosphate groups attached to specific amino acid residues. These phosphorylated residues, commonly serine, threonine, or tyrosine, play a crucial role in numerous cellular processes by regulating protein function and signal transduction pathways. Phosphorylation, the addition of phosphate groups, is a reversible post-translational modification that can greatly affect a protein's structure, function, and interactions with other molecules.
Phosphoproteins are involved in various biological processes, including cell signaling, protein synthesis, cell division, enzymatic activity, and gene expression regulation. As a result, they are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and coordinating complex cellular activities. Upon phosphorylation, the conformational changes in the phosphoprotein may activate or deactivate its functions, enabling the protein to trigger specific cellular responses.
Phosphoproteins are commonly found in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans, and are extensively studied in molecular biology and biochemistry. Techniques utilized to study phosphoproteins include mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, immunoblotting, and phospho-specific antibodies, among others. Additionally, dysregulation of phosphoprotein signaling is associated with various diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, understanding the function and regulation of phosphoproteins provides insights into the physiological and pathological processes occurring within living organisms.
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Nucleoalbumin, nucleoprotein, a conjugated protein, a compound of protein with some substance, other than lecithin or nucleic acid, containing phosphorus; casein and vitellin are phosphoproteins.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHOSPHOPROTEIN
- ohosphoprotein
- lhosphoprotein
- -hosphoprotein
- 0hosphoprotein
- pgosphoprotein
- pbosphoprotein
- pnosphoprotein
- pjosphoprotein
- puosphoprotein
- pyosphoprotein
- phisphoprotein
- phksphoprotein
- phlsphoprotein
- phpsphoprotein
- ph0sphoprotein
- ph9sphoprotein
- phoaphoprotein
- phozphoprotein
- phoxphoprotein
Etymology of PHOSPHOPROTEIN
The word "phosphoprotein" is derived from the combination of two terms: "phospho-" and "protein".
1. "Phospho-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringer" or "bearing light". The term "phospho-" is commonly used to indicate the presence of a phosphate group in a molecule. In biological terms, "phospho-" typically refers to a molecule or compound that contains a phosphate group.
2. "Protein" is a term originating from the French word "protéine", which in turn comes from the Greek word "proteios", meaning "primary" or "first rank". It was first used by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1838 to describe a class of organic compounds that are an essential part of living organisms, vital for various biological functions.
