Explore the foundational principles of how phosphorylation serves as a critical regulatory mechanism in biological systems. This part delves into the fundamental role of adding or removing phosphate groups to control protein activity, conformation, and interactions, thereby influencing a vast array of cellular processes and overall biochemical control within an organism.
Modulation by covalent modification describes the crucial biochemical process where the activity or function of a molecule, often a protein, is precisely altered through the formation or breaking of covalent bonds. This fundamental mechanism underpins a vast array of cellular processes, including signal transduction, gene expression, and metabolic control, enabling rapid and reversible cellular responses to internal and external stimuli.