phosphoprotein

1 9.3

A protein with phosphate groups attached that helps control cell activity

noun
/ˌfɑsfoʊˈproʊtiˌin/

Specialized

: fosfoproteína

Changes in phosphoprotein levels can indicate alterations in cellular activity.

Examples

A phosphoprotein is essential for many cellular functions.
The scientist analyzed the function of a phosphoprotein involved in cell signaling.
Detection of a specific phosphoprotein is crucial for studying certain diseases.
Researchers study the role of phosphoproteins in signaling pathways.
A phosphoprotein plays a crucial role in cell signaling by regulating various biological functions.
Research has shown that the activity of certain enzymes can be influenced by the levels of specific phosphoproteins.
Phosphoproteins are essential for many cellular processes, including metabolism and signal transduction.

Surface Forms

phosphoprotein singular

phosphoproteins plural

Morphology

phosphoprotein = protein (semi-transparent) = phospho + protein

The combining form 'phospho-' predictably indicates attachment of phosphate groups but is a technical biomedical prefix likely unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Phosphoprotein joins phospho- and protein. Phospho- comes from a Greek word that means 'light' but today it names phosphate, a small chemical group, and protein is the common word for the large molecules in cells, so a phosphoprotein is a protein with one or more phosphate groups attached and this often changes how the protein works.