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phosphorylation

noun
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phos·​phor·​y·​la·​tion | \ ˌfäs-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce phosphorylation (audio) \

Definition of phosphorylation

: the process of phosphorylating a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic phosphate especially : the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes

Examples of phosphorylation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The previous studies also highlighted a biological rewiring process called phosphorylation that happens in the 500 human proteins called kinases, which affect human growth, stem cell renewal, the immune system, and memory and learning. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "UCSF-led researchers dig deep into coronavirus structure, identify drugs that could diminish COVID effects," 15 Oct. 2020 The researchers infected cells from African green monkeys, known for their high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, and, using mass spectronomy, looked at how phosphorylation changed over time. — Gregory Barber, Wired, "Old Drugs Could Reveal a New Way to Attack the Coronavirus," 27 June 2020 In the new study, Krogan's international team looked deeper into the biology, focusing on how the new coronavirus changes a complex process called phosphorylation. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Study reveals images of the coronavirus forming tentacles in cells -- but monstrous discovery helps identify new treatment," 27 June 2020 During phosphorylation — which is happening all the time inside cells, virus or no virus — certain chemicals get added to proteins or removed from proteins, slightly altering their structure. — Jason Fagone, SFChronicle.com, "‘There’s a cocktail out there that can cure this’: Inside a UCSF-led quest to exploit the coronavirus' weak spots," 26 June 2020 How phosphorylation changes the effects of each SNIPP isn’t yet known. — Quanta Magazine, "You Are Getting Sleepy — Tagged Proteins May Point to Why," 21 Aug. 2018 The class of cancer drugs that block phosphorylation activity are called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Superstar cancer researcher Tony Hunter of Salk Institute wins award, makes new finding," 4 Apr. 2018 This process, called tyrosine phosphorylation, is a normal part of cell-to-cell communication. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Superstar cancer researcher Tony Hunter of Salk Institute wins award, makes new finding," 4 Apr. 2018 Hunter is famous for discovering a class of enzymes called tyrosine kinases that perform tyrosine phosphorylation. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Scripps, Salk scientists independently make key biological advance," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phosphorylation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of phosphorylation

1925, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of phosphorylation was in 1925

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Cite this Entry

“Phosphorylation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylation. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for phosphorylation

phosphorylation

noun
phos·​phor·​y·​la·​tion | \ ˌfäs-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce phosphorylation (audio) \

Medical Definition of phosphorylation

: the process of phosphorylating a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic phosphate especially : the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes (as the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate by ATP and hexokinase)

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphorylation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phosphorylation

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