phosphorylate
verb
phos·phor·y·late
fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāt 
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
Examples of phosphorylate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phosphorylate
transitive verb
phos·phor·y·late
-ˌlāt
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
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