Phosphorylation
The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, typically a protein. A key mechanism for activating or deactivating cellular processes.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"...the pyruvate from glycolysis and completely oxidizes it, harvesting high-energy electrons. This is more efficient than glycolysis alone. Oxidative phosphorylation happens in the mitochondrial membrane. It uses those high-energy electrons to drive the production of most of your ATP - roughly 30-36 molecules pe..."
"5 (2011): 682-695. > Supports: Comprehensive autophagy mechanisms (mTOR suppression, AMPK activation, ULK1 phosphorylation); role in longevity across species. Sirtuins and NAD+ Metabolism Anderson, Rozalyn M., Kevin J. Bitterman, Jonathan G."
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.