Kinase - Definition and Overview

In biochemistry, a kinase is a type of enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from, for example, ATP to a specified substrate or target; the process is termed "phosphorylation". Typically, the target is "activated" or "energized" by being phosphorylated. All kinases require a divalent metal ion such as Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺ to transfer the phosphoryl group.

There are many different types of kinases; each named for the target substrate. Some notable kinases are:

• Protein kinase (see there for more details);
• Janus kinase;
• Tyrosine kinase;
• Focal adhesion kinase;
• Creatine kinase;
• Pyruvate kinase;
• Hexokinase.