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adenyl cyclase

enzyme
Also known as: adenylate cyclase, adenylyl cyclase

Quick Summary

Adenylate cyclase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) from ATP. cAMP acts as a second messenger within cells, transmitting signals from receptors to targets. This process is crucial for mediating hormonal effects on cellular functions. For instance, epinephrine stimulates adenylate cyclase, which then produces cAMP, propagating the signal to increase heart rate. This enzyme can be regulated through allosteric control, where molecules binding to a site other than the active site alter the enzyme's shape and activity.1234

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