Biochemistry
Phosphorylation
The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, typically a protein. A key mechanism for activating or deactivating cellular processes.
Biological Context
Phosphorylation is biology's on/off switch. Kinases add phosphate groups; phosphatases remove them. ATP is the usual phosphate donor. Most cell signaling cascades involve chains of phosphorylation events. Dysregulated phosphorylation is common in cancer.
Business Application
Organizational phosphorylation: the activation signals that turn processes on or off—approvals, authorizations, sign-offs. Each phosphorylation (approval) enables the next step in a cascade.