Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

LERLIC-MS/MS for In-depth Characterization and Quantification of Glutamine and Asparagine Deamidation in Shotgun Proteomics
Published on: April 9, 2017
Focus on phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate.
P V Attwood1, P G Besant, Matthew J Piggott
1Chemistry, M313, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia.
This review explores the chemistry and biochemistry of phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate, highlighting their roles in cellular signaling pathways and as phosphoenzyme intermediates in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Protein phosphorylation is a key signaling mechanism in all organisms.
- Research has largely focused on serine, threonine, and tyrosine phosphorylation.
- Phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate are other crucial phosphoamino acids involved in biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the chemistry and biochemistry of phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate.
- To elucidate their roles in signaling pathways and as phosphoenzyme intermediates.
- To examine their synthesis and the chemistry of the acyl phosphate group.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate.
- Analysis of their chemical properties and biological functions.
- Examination of their presence in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
Main Results:
- Phosphoaspartate is vital in prokaryotic two-component signaling systems and is also found in eukaryotes.
- Phosphoglutamate is frequently observed as a free form rather than in phosphoprotein structures.
- Both phosphoamino acids are involved in cellular signaling and act as phosphoenzyme intermediates.
Conclusions:
- Phosphoaspartate and phosphoglutamate play significant, though sometimes underappreciated, roles in cellular signaling.
- Further research into these phosphoamino acids can expand our understanding of biological regulation.
- Their diverse roles underscore the complexity of protein phosphorylation in life.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Phosphorylation
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
Phosphorylation
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
Amino acids
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

