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AAT Bioquest

How is phosphorylase regulated?

Posted May 24, 2023


Answer

Glycogen phosphorylase is regulated by two mechanisms - allosteric control and phosphorylation. Allosteric effectors cause structural changes in enzymes and, when combined with phosphorylation, allow access to the suppressed catalytic site. Phosphorylation transforms glycogen phosphorylase from a disordered state to an ordered one, 

Glycogen phosphorylase can also be regulated by hormones such as insulin, epinephrine, and glucagon, which work using second messenger amplification systems linked to G proteins. 

Additional resources

Relationship of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase to protein phosphatase 2C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in liver of obese rhesus monkeys

Enzymes