PRENYLATION Meaning and
Definition
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Prenylation is a biochemical process that involves the addition of a prenyl group to a molecule, typically a protein or a lipid. The prenyl group consists of a hydrophobic tail composed of several isoprene units, which allows the modified molecule to anchor or associate with cellular membranes or other proteins.
In this process, a prenyl group, derived from an isoprenoid precursor molecule, is enzymatically attached to the target molecule. The addition of the prenyl group has significant implications for the function, localization, and stability of the modified molecule. Prenylation is predominantly observed in eukaryotic cells, where it plays crucial roles in various biological processes, including cell signaling, membrane trafficking, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications.
Prenylation can occur at different sites on the target molecule, leading to different outcomes. For proteins, prenyl groups are typically attached to specific cysteine residues via a thioether bond, creating a lipid anchor that facilitates the association of the protein with the cell membrane. This localization is important for protein function and intracellular signaling pathways. In the case of lipids, prenylation alters their hydrophobicity, allowing them to participate in membrane structures or function as signaling molecules themselves.
Overall, prenylation is a critical process that regulates the localization, activity, and interactions of proteins and lipids within cells, thereby impacting various cellular processes and the overall functioning of an organism.
Common Misspellings for PRENYLATION
- orenylation
- lrenylation
- -renylation
- 0renylation
- peenylation
- pdenylation
- pfenylation
- ptenylation
- p5enylation
- p4enylation
- prwnylation
- prsnylation
- prdnylation
- prrnylation
- pr4nylation
- pr3nylation
- prebylation
- premylation
- prejylation
- prehylation
Etymology of PRENYLATION
The word "prenylation" is derived from the term "prenyl", which refers to a type of chemical group composed of five carbon atoms. This term comes from the German word "Prene", which means 'from' or 'related to,' and "-yl", a common suffix used in organic chemistry to denote an alkyl group. Hence, "prenylation" signifies a chemical process or modification involving the attachment of a prenyl group to another molecule.
