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AAT Bioquest

How is cAMP generated as a second messenger?

Posted July 25, 2023


Answer

cAMP is generated as a second messenger through adenylyl cyclase activation following ligation of GPCRs by different ligands such as hormones, prostaglandins, autacoids, and pharmacologic agents. The receptor-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase catalyzes the conversion of AMP to cAMP. Activated adenylyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP by removing two phosphate groups forming a cyclic structure. cAMP acts as a second messenger by binding to and activating PKA. Once bound, the activated PKA is ready to phosphorylate the target proteins.

Additional resources

Cyclic AMP

A Comparison of Available cAMP Assays Using cAMP Standard Curves

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) Inhibitors (IC50, Ki)

Screen Quest™ Fluorimetric ELISA cAMP Assay Kit