protein kinase

noun

: any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to one or more amino acids in the side chain of a protein resulting in a conformational change affecting protein function

Examples of protein kinase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples include monoclonal antibodies, angiogenesis inhibitors, and protein kinase inhibitors. —Taylyn Washington-Harmon, Health, 16 Dec. 2023

The disorder, an abbreviation for calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase 2, impacts mobility and brain function. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 26 June 2023

The team at Stamford has previously determined the role of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) in the later stages of spermatogenesis, and it is thought that a drug targeting this kinase could be used as a contraceptive. —Hannah Flynn, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2018

Hall was honored for his work in discovering how a large family of nutrient-dependent protein kinases, called the TOR proteins, play a central role in controlling the cell growth. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

protein kinase

noun

: any of a class of allosteric enzymes that possess a catalytic subunit which transfers a phosphate from ATP to one or more amino acid residues (as serine, threonine, or tyrosine) in a protein's side chain resulting in a conformational change affecting protein function, that play a role in regulating intracellular processes, and that include many which are activated by the binding of a second messenger (as cyclic AMP)