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Protein Kinases and Phosphatases

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Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...

Phosphorylation

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The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee

Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee

Published on: September 14, 2018

Phosphonates as Modulators of Brain Chemistry.

Susana Santos Braga¹, Nádia E Santos^1,2, Maria Almeida-Santos¹

¹LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.

Medicinal Research Reviews

|June 14, 2026

Summary

Phosphonates show promise for treating brain diseases like Alzheimer's and ischemic injury by mimicking phosphates. Further research into their stability and versatility could unlock new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.

Keywords:

Alzheimer's disease cholinesterase glutamate ischaemia phosphonates proteomics

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Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission

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Published on: August 16, 2018

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee

Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee

Published on: September 14, 2018

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission

Published on: August 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Medicinal chemistry
Neuroscience
Drug discovery

Background:

Phosphonates, structurally similar to phosphates, interact with vital brain processes.
Their therapeutic potential in neurological diseases remains an underexplored area of medicinal chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on phosphonates for brain disease therapeutics.
To highlight applications in Alzheimer's disease and ischemic brain injury.
To discuss future research directions for phosphonate-based neurological treatments.

Main Methods:

Literature review of phosphonate applications in neuroscience.
Analysis of phosphonates targeting cholinesterase, amyloid-β interactions, and glutamate receptors.
Examination of phosphonate-based diagnostic platforms.

Main Results:

Phosphonates are investigated for Alzheimer's disease as cholinesterase inhibitors and agents targeting amyloid-β interactions.
Phosphonate-based materials show utility in Alzheimer's diagnostics.
Phosphonates targeting NMDA and AMPA receptors are explored for ischemic brain injury, with mGlu-4 receptor agonists showing neuroregenerative potential.

Conclusions:

Phosphonates offer versatile therapeutic potential for brain disorders due to their stability and phosphate-mimicking properties.
Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and optimize phosphonate development for neurological conditions.