Kinase
51209
218227299
2008-06-09T18:56:59Z
64.129.24.11
{{Mergefrom|phosphotransferase|date=July 2007}}
[[Image:Phosphate.png|thumb|[[Phosphate]]]]
In [[chemistry]] and [[biochemistry]], a '''kinase''', alternatively known as a '''phosphotransferase''', is a type of [[enzyme]] that transfers [[phosphate]] groups from [[High-energy phosphate|high-energy]] donor molecules, such as [[adenosine triphosphate|ATP]], to specific target molecules ([[Substrate (biochemistry)|substrate]]s); the process is termed ''[[phosphorylation]]'' (An enzyme that ''removes'' phosphate groups from targets is known as a [[phosphatase]].)
==Types==
One of the largest group of kinases are [[protein kinase]]s, which act on and modify the activity of specific proteins. These are used extensively to transmit signals and control complex processes in cells. Up to 518 different kinases have been identified in humans. Their enormous diversity and role in signaling makes them attractive targets for drug design.
Various other kinases act on small molecules (lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, and more), either for signaling or to prime them for biochemical reactions in metabolism. These are named after their substrates.
==See also==
* [[Ca2%2B/calmodulin-dependent_protein_kinase|Ca<sup>2+</sup>/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase]]
* [[Signal transduction]]
* [[G protein-coupled receptor]]
{{Kinases}}
[[Category:EC 2.7.1]]
[[cs:Kinasa]]
[[de:Kinasen]]
[[es:Quinasa]]
[[fr:Kinase]]
[[it:Chinasi]]
[[he:קינאז]]
[[nl:Kinase]]
[[ja:キナーゼ]]
[[oc:Quinasa]]
[[pl:Kinazy]]
[[pt:Cinase]]
[[ru:Киназы]]
[[fi:Kinaasi]]
[[sv:Kinas]]
[[zh:激酶]]