Protein kinases: evolution of dynamic regulatory proteins.
Eukayotic protein kinases evolved as a family of highly dynamic molecules with strictly organized internal architecture. A single hydrophobic F-helix serves as a central scaffold for assembly of the entire molecule. Two non-consecutive hydrophobic structures termed "spines" anchor all the elements important for catalysis to the F-helix. They make firm, but flexible, connections within the molecule, providing a high level of internal dynamics of the protein kinase. During the course of evolution, protein kinases developed a universal regulatory mechanism associated with a large activation segment that can be dynamically folded and unfolded in the course of cell functioning. Protein kinases thus represent a unique, highly dynamic, and precisely regulated set of switches that control most biological events in eukaryotic cells.
Taylor
Susan S
SS
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. staylor@ucsd.edu
Kornev
Alexandr P
AP
D000818:Animals; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D011494:Protein Kinases