Redirected from Cyclic AMP
cAMP is a second messenger molecule, used for intracellular signal transduction, such as transferring the effects of hormones like glucagon and adrenaline, which cannot get through the cell membrane. Its main purpose is the activation of protein kinases; it is also used to regulate the passage of Ca2+ through ion channels[?].
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cAMP decomposition into AMP is catalyzed by the enzyme phosphodiesterase. This enzyme is inhibited by caffeine, the stimulatory efffect of this drug being the result of the raised cAMP levels that it causes.
cAMP binds to specific locations on the regulatory units of the protein kinase, causing them to dissociate from the tetramer, thus activating the catalytic units so they can perform their function.
wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump