Biology / Unit 4 Bio 0805 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Cyclic AMP as a Second Messenger
Captions available
The idea
Cyclic AMP, synthesized from ATP by adenylyl cyclase, is a second messenger that activates A-kinase, an enzyme that phosphorylates target proteins throughout the cell.
In practice
Cyclic AMP's effect varies by cell type because A-kinase phosphorylates a different set of proteins in each.
Where people slip
Cyclic AMP's signal ends only when phosphodiesterase converts it to plain AMP — it does not fade away on its own.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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