Phosphorylation cascade

Definition

A phosphorylation cascade is a sequence of events where one enzyme phosphorylates another, leading to a chain reaction that ultimately results in the amplification of a signal within a cell. This process is crucial in the regulation of various cellular activities, including metabolism, cell division, and the response to hormones.

Related terms

Enzyme: A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions within cells without being consumed in the process.

Hormones:

Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that regulate physiological functions and behavior by signaling between different parts of the organism.

Signal transduction: The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, most commonly involving phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events