What role do phosphatases play in signal transduction pathways?
A) They transfer a phosphate group from one protein in the pathway to the next molecule in the series.
B) They activate protein kinases by phosphorylation.
C) They amplify the second messenger cAMP.
D) They inactivate protein kinases to turn off signal transduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phosphatases remove phosphate groups from proteins, which can deactivate or alter the function of those proteins. In the context of signal transduction pathways, this action can turn off the pathway by inactivating protein kinases, which are enzymes that add phosphate groups to proteins to activate them.

What Role Do Phosphatases Play in Signal Transduction Pathways