Is Phosphate in Proteins? Understanding Phosphorylation and Protein Function
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3 min read
While the 20 standard amino acids that form the backbone of proteins do not inherently contain phosphate, an estimated one-third of all human proteins are phosphorylated at any given time. The presence of phosphate in proteins is not a structural component but a functional modification that acts as a vital molecular switch in cellular processes. This critical post-translational modification, known as phosphorylation, reversibly alters protein activity, stability, and interactions.
