ADENYLYL CYCLASE Meaning and
Definition
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Adenylyl cyclase is an enzyme found in the cell membrane of living organisms, responsible for the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This enzymatic reaction is a key component of intracellular signaling pathways and plays a crucial role in cellular communication and signal transduction.
The process begins when an extracellular ligand, typically a hormone or neurotransmitter, binds to a specific receptor located on the cell surface. This binding event activates the receptor, which then activates the associated G-protein. The G-protein subsequently activates adenylyl cyclase, leading to the conversion of ATP into cAMP by removing two phosphate groups.
cAMP acts as a secondary messenger, relaying the signal from the external ligand to the cellular machinery. It is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes, including metabolism, gene expression, cell growth, and neurotransmission. It achieves this by binding to and activating protein kinase A (PKA), which then phosphorylates specific target proteins, initiating a cascade of intracellular events.
Adenylyl cyclase is a highly regulated enzyme, with its activity affected by a wide range of factors, including G-proteins, calcium ions, and other cellular signaling molecules. Dysregulation of adenylyl cyclase activity has been implicated in various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and mental disorders, making it a potential therapeutic target for drug development.
Common Misspellings for ADENYLYL CYCLASE
- zdenylyl cyclase
- sdenylyl cyclase
- wdenylyl cyclase
- qdenylyl cyclase
- asenylyl cyclase
- axenylyl cyclase
- acenylyl cyclase
- afenylyl cyclase
- arenylyl cyclase
- aeenylyl cyclase
- adwnylyl cyclase
- adsnylyl cyclase
- addnylyl cyclase
- adrnylyl cyclase
- ad4nylyl cyclase
- ad3nylyl cyclase
- adebylyl cyclase
- ademylyl cyclase
- adejylyl cyclase
- adehylyl cyclase
Etymology of ADENYLYL CYCLASE
The word "adenylyl cyclase" is composed of two main components: "adenyl" and "cyclase".
The first component, "adenyl", refers to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or adenine nucleotides. Adenosine monophosphate is a molecule that consists of adenine, a nitrogenous base, linked to a ribose sugar and a phosphate group. The term "adenyl" signifies the presence of adenine or adenine derivatives.
The second component, "cyclase", derives from the word "cycle" and indicates an enzyme that catalyzes a cyclic process. In the case of adenylyl cyclase, it catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a cyclic nucleotide involved in various cellular signaling pathways.
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