TYROSINE KINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Tyrosine kinase is an enzyme belonging to the family of protein kinases that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the amino acid tyrosine on the substrate protein. This process, known as phosphorylation, plays a crucial role in cell signaling, as it regulates the function, activity, and localization of proteins involved in various cellular processes.
Tyrosine kinases are categorized into two main classes: receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTKs). RTKs are transmembrane proteins that reside on the cell surface and are activated by binding of specific ligands, such as growth factors or hormones. Upon activation, the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor phosphorylates tyrosine residues on the receptor itself and/or on downstream signaling proteins, initiating a signaling cascade that ultimately influences gene expression, cell growth, differentiation, migration, and survival.
NRTKs, on the other hand, are located within the cytoplasm and can be activated by various mechanisms, including binding of intracellular signaling molecules. They play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Dysregulation or mutations in tyrosine kinases can lead to various diseases, including cancer, as they can result in uncontrolled cell growth and survival. Hence, tyrosine kinases have been the target of pharmaceutical research and development, leading to the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are effective in treating certain cancers and other diseases associated with aberrant tyrosine kinase activity.
Common Misspellings for TYROSINE KINASE
- ryrosine kinase
- fyrosine kinase
- gyrosine kinase
- yyrosine kinase
- 6yrosine kinase
- 5yrosine kinase
- ttrosine kinase
- tgrosine kinase
- throsine kinase
- turosine kinase
- t7rosine kinase
- t6rosine kinase
- tyeosine kinase
- tydosine kinase
- tyfosine kinase
- tytosine kinase
- ty5osine kinase
- ty4osine kinase
- tyrisine kinase
- tyrksine kinase
Etymology of TYROSINE KINASE
The word "tyrosine kinase" has its etymology rooted in two components: "tyrosine" and "kinase".
1. Tyrosine:
The term "tyrosine" refers to an amino acid. It was named after the Greek word "tyros", meaning cheese, due to its discovery in cheese protein. The suffix "-ine" denotes an amino acid in the nomenclature of these organic compounds.
2. Kinase:
The term "kinase" is derived from the Greek word "kinein", meaning "to move". It is commonly used in biochemistry to indicate an enzyme class that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from a nucleotide triphosphate (e.g., ATP) to a substrate molecule, often a protein. The addition of the "-ase" ending signifies an enzyme.
