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Question 1

what are the functions of kinases?

Answer 1

transferring phosphate groups from high to low energy molecules

high energy molecule in question is usually ATP

Question 2

what is the function of phosphatases?

Answer 2

removing phosphate groups from targets

in hydrolysis this involves transferring of phosphoryl groups to water

Question 3

why do kinases act on small molecules?

Answer 3

to engage signaling cascades or to prime them for reaction

Question 4

what is the function of protein kinases?

Answer 4

modifying activity in target proteins

Question 5

what are the three amino acid residues a phosphate may typically attach to?

Answer 5

serine
threonine
tyrosine

(these are phosphorylated by kinases due to recognition of these near)

Question 6

what activates phosphatases?

Question 7

what is an oncogene?

Answer 7

mutant gene found in regulatory pathways

proto-oncogenes are the unmutated form of the gene

Question 8

what does mTor stand for?

Answer 8

mammalian target of rapamycin

(this regulates cell growth, proliferation, motility, protein synthesis)

Question 9

how can proto-oncogenes be converted to oncogenes?

Answer 9

mutation
rearrangement of genes in chromosome, moving proto to new location
increase in number of copies
viral interference

Question 10

what is the main cause of overactive mTOR signaling?

Answer 10

mutations in PTEN* which usually encodes phosphatase that dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol (3, 4, 5)-triphosphate

*phosphatase and tensin homolog

Question 11

what are mTOR inhibitors?

Answer 11

drugs that inhibit mTOR signaling used in the treatment of cancers

such as rapamycin, temsirolimus, everolimus

Question 12

what is rho kinase?

Answer 12

protein kinase that phosphorylates myosin light chain to increase muscle contractility