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Glite Dictionary
phosphokinase

phosphokinase

9.1
An enzyme that adds phosphate to other molecules to help cells use energy
  • noun
  • /ˌfɑsfoʊˈkaɪneɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fosfocinasa
  • Cardiac enzymes (creatine phosphokinase and its MB isoenzyme) were analyzed at study entry, 4 h, and 10 h.
  • creatine phosphokinase

Examples

  • Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), C-reactive protein, and myoglobin levels were higher than reference ranges in 12, 19, and 16 patients, respectively (Table 1).

    Academic text (2012)

  • A rise in phosphokinase levels can indicate a heart attack or muscle injury in patients.

  • AKIN = Acute Kidney Injury Network. KDIGO = Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes. CPK = creatine phosphokinase.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The doctor ordered tests to measure the levels of phosphokinase in the patient's blood to assess muscle damage.

  • Elevated concentrations of phosphokinase are often found in individuals with certain metabolic disorders.

Synonyms

kinase
vsphosphokinase
  • Specialized
7 8.4

A protein that adds a phosphate to other proteins or molecules to change their activity

is broader, transferring phosphate to various molecules in metabolism
transferase
vsphosphokinase
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A protein that moves a small chemical part from one molecule to another

is limited to moving phosphate groups rather than any chemical group
phosphorylase
vsphosphokinase
  • Specialized
8.5

A protein that adds a phosphate to another chemical to help break down stored sugar in cells

is used more broadly in metabolism rather than only helping breakdown

Surface Forms

phosphokinase singular
phosphokinases plural

Morphology

phosphokinase = kinase (semi-transparent) = phospho + kinase

The combining form 'phospho-' signals involvement of phosphate and 'kinase' denotes an enzyme, but 'phospho-' is a technical combining form not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Phosphokinase breaks into phospho- and kinase, where phospho- means 'phosphate', a small chemical group with the element phosphorus, and kinase comes from a root meaning 'to move', the same root you see in kinetic. So a phosphokinase is an enzyme that 'moves' or adds a phosphate group to another molecule, which is why these enzymes help cells use and store energy.