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Tyrosine Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation involves the addition of a phosphate group to a protein, a small molecule, or other organic substance. Because the phosphate acts to regulate so many enzymes and receptors, turning them off and on, phosphorylation is incredibly important. Protein kinases catalyze phosphorylation, and phosphatases reverse the process.

Adding a phosphoryl can change a nonpolar hydrophobic protein into a polar, very hydrophilic molecule – in essence, changing its entire nature. Each phosphorylation reaction and its reverse requires ATP to power it.

While phosphorylation in general is fairly common, tyrosine phosphorylation is very rare. However, tyrosine phosphorylated proteins are very easy to purify and therefore the few tyrosine phosphorylation sites on proteins are well-understood. We do know that tyrosine kinase pathways are critical to proper cell growth, metabolic regulation, and normal differentiation, thanks to observations on tyrosine phosphorylation.

Currently, tyrosine phosphorylation is being investigated for its effects on the development of the fetus in everything from birds to people as well as its effects on things like sperm motility, cell death, and the formation of certain cancers.

Web Resources On Tyrosine Phosphorylation

Signal Transduction & Tyrosine Phosphorylation
Cellular Signalling and Human Disease Laboratory

Book Resources On Tyrosine Phosphorylation

Tyrosine Phosphorylation/Dephosphorylation and Downstream Signalling by Ludwig Heilmeyer
Protein Phosphorylation by Bartholomew M. Sefton et al

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