phosphorylate

verb

phos·​phor·​y·​late fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce phosphorylate (audio)
phosphorylated; phosphorylating

transitive verb

: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
phosphorylative adjective

Examples of phosphorylate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Normal tau becomes phosphorylated as molecular phosphate groups are attached, which changes the protein's structure. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Researchers measured the level of plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a type of protein that builds up and impairs the brain in Alzheimer’s patients, and amyloid beta, another protein that is considered a biomarker of Alzheimer’s. Lauryn Higgins, Health, 3 Aug. 2024 Then his brain improved One part of the blood test — called plasma phosphorylated tau 217, or p-tau217 for short — is one of several blood biomarkers scientists are evaluating for use in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 28 July 2024 The researchers then focused on a specific phosphorylation site and created a mutation that prevented it from being phosphorylated. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023 In fact, two of the sites that were phosphorylated on this enzyme in cavefish are mutated in humans with glycogen-storage diseases. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphorylate was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near phosphorylate

Cite this Entry

“Phosphorylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylate. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphorylate

transitive verb
phos·​phor·​y·​late -ˌlāt How to pronounce phosphorylate (audio)
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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