phosphorylation

noun

phos·​phor·​y·​la·​tion ˌfäs-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce phosphorylation (audio)
: 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 Tau phosphorylation is a crucial process related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023 The authors speculate that the changes at positions 203 and 204 increase phosphorylase affinity, leading to greater N protein phosphorylation, which is positively correlated to the efficiency of viral genome processing and nucleocapsid assembly. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 One of these enzymes, phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1), was activated through phosphorylation—the addition of phosphate chemical groups—in cavefish but not in surface fish. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023 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 The effectiveness of the compound was determined by how well C53 could trigger phosphorylation, or activation, of STING proteins within the cell samples. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 In this experiment, Pryde et al. observed the phosphorylation of both STING and interferon regulatory factors across all the STING variants tested. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 One characteristic that sets the N protein apart from most others is that it is phosphorylated and the degree of phosphorylation can dramatically affect its function. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 Both phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3 are critical steps in interferon production. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phosphorylation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphorylation was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near phosphorylation

Cite this Entry

“Phosphorylation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylation. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphorylation

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

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