Chemistry Tutorial

Problem 1: Regulation

The addition of a phosphate group by a protein kinase is a key regulatory switch for many biological processes. How can regulation be achieved by this simple mechanism?

A.	Phosphorylation can change the three dimensional structure of a protein, and thus alter the number of and orientation of weak interactions that could be made in biologically relevant interactions. This can change the specificity of protein binding to its target as a biological switch.
	Correct. Biological recognition requires multiple weak interactions between molecules, and protein kinases alter the process by adding a phosphate. A typical cell in your body may have more than 100 different protein kinases