The MAP kinase cascade is an example of a biochemical pathway in which phosphory

Question

The MAP kinase cascade is an example of a biochemical pathway in which phosphorylation is used to change the activity of a protein. Phosphorylation is also used to regulate protein activity in other contexts, especially in the regulation of enzymes in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis. Usually, the amino acid that is phosphorylated is one of serine, threonine, tyrosine or histidine. Explain why addition of a phosphare group to one of these amino acids can have a significant effect on the activity of a protein.

Explanation / Answer

Phosphorylation introduces a charged and hydrophilic group in the side chain of the amino acid as phosphate group is negatively charged. This hydrophilic group helps to interact differently with the nearby amino acids. Thus the structure of the protein is altered. This altered protein structure may be the active form of the protein. Thus phosphorylation have a significant role on the activity of a protein.

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